CBS news anchor Margaret Brennan asked Mitch McConnell on Sunday how he plans to deal with former President Trump’s objections if he is re-elected, given the differences between the two Republicans over aid to Ukraine. He approached the Senate Minority Leader (Republican, Kentucky).
Brennan spoke with McConnell in an interview on Sunday’s “Face the Nation,” reporting on CBS that 79% of self-identified Republicans say Trump is their most trusted source on Ukraine and Russia. He pointed to public opinion polls. She then asked Mr. McConnell, an ardent supporter of U.S. aid to Ukraine, how he plans to counter this.
“Look, what I want to do, what I’m focused on is not the presidential election, but taking back the Senate. I’ve been the majority leader, I’ve been the minority leader, but the majority is better. “We are,” McConnell said.
Mr. Brennan pointed out that her question was not about race, but about “convincing public opinion,” to which Mr. McConnell responded, “Let’s get this over with.” I think the most important thing I can do is make sure that my successor is majority leader, regardless of the outcome of the presidential election. ”
“I’m not completely happy with this administration. I think the fact that our candidates basically decided not to continue to whip people for policy was a good sign. I don’t think anyone elected “I’m going to advocate for increased defense spending and long-term preparedness for China, Russia, Iran,” he continued, before discussing the Biden administration’s defense budget.
The Kentucky Republican was referring to the foreign aid bill recently passed by Congress that includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, global humanitarian assistance and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific.
President Trump has expressed hesitation about continuing U.S. aid to Ukraine, arguing that aid to the country is not in America’s vital interests. In February, he directed Republican senators to vote against a bipartisan package that included border security provisions and lifted aid to Ukraine.
Mr. Brennan then asked Mr. McConnell how he would “block” President Trump’s pledge to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an early end and end funding to Kiev.
In response, McConnell said, “What I’m doing is trying to change the Senate and get a majority, and no matter who wins the presidential election, I’m trying to get a majority on the importance of defense spending.” I complied.
“We can’t control that. I have some influence here in the Senate. I want whoever is elected president to increase the defense budget and address the challenges at hand, rather than just looking backwards.” We will use it to prepare,” he added.
Mr. Brennan interjected, suggesting that Mr. McConnell may need to be a “firewall” against the Republican Party and its potential leader.
“I was going to do it. I’ve been involved in changing the Senate’s opinion on this issue, and I think more members now understand the importance of that,” the Senate said. the lawmaker said.
The two then discussed Mr. McConnell’s opposition to isolationist movements, and Mr. Brennan suggested that Mr. McConnell may share views closer to President Biden than to President Trump.
“In your view of America’s role in the world, you seem to align more with Joe Biden than with Donald Trump,” Brennan said.
McConnell responded by pointing out the differences with the Biden administration’s policies.
Although McConnell supports Trump’s re-election bid, long-standing tensions between the two Republicans remain.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
