Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell denied he had “screaming matches” with President Donald Trump, and instead described their fights as “candid conversations.”
Still, McConnell came on on Trump’s January 6 pardons and opposed his defense secretary nominee Sunday, while addressing their rocky relationship in a recent CBS “60 Minutes” interview.
“I was very upset about what happened Jan. 6. I think pardoning people who’ve been convicted is a mistake,” McConnell told interviewer Lesley Stahl.
The 82-year-old Kentucky senator addressed reports of past conflicts with Trump.
“We had a candid relationship,” McConnell said with a chuckle when asked about the reported screaming matches during Trump’s first term.
When questioned about biographical revelations that he called Trump “nasty” and a “sleazeball,” McConnell responded: “Those were private comments.”
“But they’re in your biography,” Stahl interjected.
“Yeah,” McConnell admitted.
Despite being one of only three Republicans to vote against Trump’s defense secretary nominee, McConnell indicated limited opposition ahead. “I expect to support most of what this administration is trying to accomplish,” he said. “So, what happened in the past is irrelevant to me.”
Trump has publicly attacked McConnell throughout their relationship. “We do have to do something about Mitch McConnell. He’s, he’s a disaster. He’s a disaster,” Trump said during a March 2023 campaign rally in Davenport, Iowa.
The Senate votes next week on five additional Trump cabinet nominees. Republican leadership expects most to pass with bipartisan support despite McConnell’s recent break with the president on defense.
Senate Democrats announced plans to seek McConnell’s support on upcoming judicial nominees, seeing potential cooperation after his defense secretary vote. The Judiciary Committee begins hearings Tuesday on three circuit court candidates.
McConnell maintains significant influence among Senate Republicans even after stepping down from leadership.