In the 2024 elections, Donald Trump’s victory in securing the presidency was a significant milestone. Moreover, the Republicans captured the U.S. Senate with a 53-47 majority. This outcome highlights the party’s strong position to implement its agenda effectively in the Senate.
… Or does it?
With Republicans holding a narrow three-seat advantage and the tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate, one might surmise it’ll be smooth sailing for the GOP. However, it might not be so easy. To block GOP initiatives in the Senate, Democrats need at least 4 of the 53 Republicans to defect.
The Senate shares full legislative power with the House of Representatives. In addition, the Senate has exclusive authority to approve–or reject–presidential nominations to executive and judicial offices, and to provide–or withhold–its “advice and consent” to treaties negotiated by the executive. The Senate also has the sole power to try impeachments.
Senator-elect John Curtis (R-UT), who will replace Mitt Romney (R-Utah), has positioned himself as an independent voice who will not be bullied to support Trump.
“Look, I support President Trump when he’s dealing with some of these really tough issues that we have, the economy and the conflicts overseas. But I do have my own mind and I’m not a rubber stamp,” said Curtis in an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABC News’ “This Week.”
“My stamp is the stamp of the state of Utah and I represent those people.”
In an era where political labels like “MAGA Republican,” “McCain Republican,” or “Romney Republican” are frequently used, the senator-elect offers a refreshing perspective by describing himself simply as “normal.” This straightforward approach suggests a focus on common-sense values that might be inconsistent with MAGA’s.
Should Curtis choose to align himself with the well-known GOP moderates, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the Democrats would secure three out of the four defections necessary to impede GOP initiatives. Consequently, only one additional defection would be required to impede the passage of extremist MAGA objectives.
Enter U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
The senior senator from Kentucky’s role as a potential counterbalance to Donald Trump’s influence in the Republican Party is becoming increasingly significant. Despite publicly endorsing Trump for the 2024 presidential race, McConnell has privately expressed harsh criticisms of the former president, indicating a complex dynamic that could shape the GOP’s future.
McConnell has reportedly made scathing remarks about Trump in private, calling Trump “stupid” and a “despicable human being and describing his behavior as “beyond erratic.” The Kentucky senator, who stated that the “MAGA movement was completely wrong, has even insisted that former President Ronald Reagan “wouldn’t recognize” the current Republican Party under Trump’s influence.
Despite these private sentiments, McConnell’s public actions have demonstrated a more measured approach. He has formally endorsed Trump for the 2024 presidential race and voted to acquit him during the second impeachment trial. Nonetheless, McConnell has subtly criticized Trump’s isolationist policies without directly naming him, and it is well-known that their personal relationship is strained. He also backed special counsel investigations into Trump’s actions surrounding the 2020 election and the January 6 insurrection.
The 82-year-old McConnell, having crafted a significant legacy in the Senate, is probably not going to run for re-election in 2026. Considering his signature judicial achievements and anticipated decision not to seek another term, it’s improbable that he would be influenced by directives from others, including Trump. With nothing at stake, McConnell is uniquely positioned to act autonomously and assert his own agenda confidently.
Furthermore, he won’t need to worry about rallying the troops, as he will no longer hold the position of Senate Majority Leader. And as the chair of the Senate Defense Appropriations Panel, McConnell may play a significant role in national security discussions. It is possible that he could be a roadblock to Trump on certain national security matters.
While McConnell’s private criticisms and public actions suggest he could be a key figure in countering Trump’s influence, his actual impact remains to be seen. The dynamics of the Republican Party, McConnell’s own political calculations, and the evolving political landscape will all play crucial roles in determining whether he emerges as a significant counterbalance to Trump in the coming years.
Two things are absolutely clear: McConnell doesn’t like Trump and has nothing to lose.
Moreover, newly-elected Senator Dave McCormick from moderate Pennsylvania offers a refreshing Republican perspective, similar to Utah’s Curtis, and may not completely adhere to MAGA principles either.
In the evolving U.S. Senate landscape, it’s crucial to watch figures like McConnell, along with Collins, Murkowski, Curtis, and McCormick. They could prove to be valuable allies for Democrats when addressing some of the Republicans’ more extreme initiatives.