Major Controversies Surrounding Mitch McConnell: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Mitch McConnell.

Addison Mitchell McConnell III is a prominent American politician and attorney who has served as a U.S. Senator from Kentucky since 1985. He is the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history. McConnell held the position of Senate Republican Conference leader from 2007 to 2025, which included terms as minority leader. He was the Senate majority leader from 2015 to 2021, making him the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1982: Sexual Assault Allegation Against Kavanaugh

In September 2018, Christine Blasey Ford publicly alleged that Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her in 1982.

February 12, 1999: Vote on Bill Clinton's Impeachment

On February 12, 1999, Mitch McConnell was one of 50 senators to vote to convict and remove Bill Clinton from office.

2004: Learning the Value of Obstructionism

In 2004, Mitch McConnell learned that obstruction and Republican unity were the optimal ways to ensure Republican gains in upcoming elections after he observed how Democratic cooperation with the Bush administration on No Child Left Behind and Medicare Part D helped Bush's 2004 reelection.

October 2010: Goal to Make Obama a One-Term President

In October 2010, Mitch McConnell stated that "the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

2010: Citizens United v. FEC Decision

In 2010, Mitch McConnell led opposition to stricter campaign finance laws, culminating in the U.S. Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC, which partially overturned the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold).

2010: Congress banned earmarks

In 2010, Mitch McConnell regularly obtained earmarks for businesses and institutions in Kentucky until Congress banned the practice.

2011: Debt-Ceiling Crisis

In 2011, during the debt-ceiling crisis, McConnell said he had learned that "it's a hostage that's worth ransoming".

2013: Filibuster Eliminated

In 2013, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid eliminated the filibuster for all presidential nominations except the Supreme Court.

2014: McConnell Lampooned for Campaign B-Roll Footage

In 2014, Mitch McConnell was satirized for posting campaign B-roll footage online for use by allied PACs, leading to the coining of the term "McConnelling".

February 13, 2016: Scalia Dies; McConnell Blocks Obama's Nomination

On February 13, 2016, after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Mitch McConnell announced the Senate would not consider any Supreme Court nominee put forth by President Obama, asserting that the American people should have a voice in the selection.

March 16, 2016: Obama Nominates Merrick Garland

On March 16, 2016, President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, but Senate Republicans, under Mitch McConnell's direction, refused to take any action on the nomination.

May 2016: McConnell Disagrees with Trump on Comments About Judge Curiel

In May 2016, Mitch McConnell disagreed with Donald Trump's suggestion that federal judge Gonzalo P. Curiel was biased due to his Mexican heritage, stating that Curiel was born in Indiana and that everyone in America comes from somewhere else.

July 2016: McConnell Criticizes Trump's Comments About Humayun Khan's Parents

In July 2016, Mitch McConnell criticized Donald Trump's remarks about the parents of Humayun Khan, a Muslim-American soldier killed in Iraq, emphasizing that all Americans should value the patriotic service of those who defend the country.

August 2016: McConnell on Blocking Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

In an August 2016 speech in Kentucky, Mitch McConnell stated that one of his proudest moments was telling Barack Obama that he would not fill the Supreme Court vacancy.

October 7, 2016: McConnell Responds to Donald Trump Access Hollywood Controversy

On October 7, 2016, following the release of the Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape, Mitch McConnell stated that Trump needed to apologize directly to women and girls and take full responsibility for his disrespectful comments.

January 3, 2017: Garland Nomination Expires

On January 3, 2017, Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court expired with the end of the 114th Congress, due to the Senate's inaction under Mitch McConnell's leadership.

April 2017: Elimination of Filibuster for Supreme Court Nominations

In April 2017, Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell eliminated the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations in order to end debate on the nomination of Neil Gorsuch.

2017: Failure to Repeal Obamacare

In 2017, Mitch McConnell's reputation as a skilled political strategist dimmed after Republicans failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) during consolidated Republican control of government.

July 2018: Trump Nominates Brett Kavanaugh

In July 2018, Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Anthony Kennedy as an associate justice of the Supreme Court, and Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of creating an extreme distortion of Kavanaugh's record during his hearings.

September 2018: Ford Accuses Kavanaugh of Sexual Assault

In September 2018, Christine Blasey Ford publicly alleged that Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her in 1982.

October 2018: McConnell on Supreme Court Vacancy in 2020

In October 2018, Mitch McConnell stated that if a Supreme Court vacancy were to occur in 2020, he would not repeat his 2016 decision to let the winner of the upcoming presidential election nominate a justice, because Republicans controlled both the presidency and the Senate.

August 2019: Opposition to Eliminating Filibuster

In August 2019, Mitch McConnell wrote an editorial for The New York Times strongly opposing the elimination of the filibuster on legislation.

November 5, 2019: McConnell Comments on Trump's Impeachment Hearings

On November 5, 2019, as the House of Representatives began public hearings on the impeachment of President Trump, Mitch McConnell stated that he was fairly certain how the impeachment trial would end and that it would not lead to removal from office.

December 14, 2019: McConnell Discusses Impeachment Trial Strategy

On December 14, 2019, Mitch McConnell met with White House counsel Pat Cipollone and White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland, and later indicated he would coordinate Trump's impeachment trial strategy with the White House and that there was "no chance" the Senate would convict and remove Trump.

December 17, 2019: McConnell Rejects Calling Witnesses in Trump's Impeachment Trial

On December 17, 2019, Mitch McConnell rejected a request to call four witnesses for Trump's impeachment trial, arguing the Senate's role was to act as judge and jury, not to investigate, and stated he was not an impartial juror, calling the process political.

September 2020: McConnell Announces Senate Vote on Ginsburg Replacement

In September 2020, after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate would vote on Donald Trump's nominated replacement.

2020: Criticism of Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election

In 2020, Mitch McConnell criticized Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

2020: McConnell Refuses to Recognize Biden's Victory Initially

In 2020, after Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the election, Mitch McConnell initially refused to recognize Biden as the winner. While not repeating false claims of voter fraud, he also did not contradict them, asserting Trump's right to challenge the results, while simultaneously celebrating Republican victories in Senate and House races.

January 12, 2021: Report Surfaces of McConnell Supporting Trump's Impeachment

On January 12, 2021, it was reported that Mitch McConnell supported impeaching Trump for his role in inciting the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, as he believed it would help the Republican party rebuild.

February 13, 2021: McConnell Votes to Acquit Trump in Second Impeachment Trial

On February 13, 2021, Mitch McConnell voted to acquit Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, stating that it was unconstitutional to convict a president who was no longer in office.

April 10, 2021: Trump Attacks McConnell

On April 10, 2021, Donald Trump verbally attacked Mitch McConnell, calling him a "dumb son of a bitch" and questioning his gratitude for hiring his wife.

May 28, 2021: McConnell Votes Against Independent Commission for Capitol Attack

On May 28, 2021, Mitch McConnell voted against the creation of an independent commission to investigate the January 6 United States Capitol attack, after seeking to organize Republican senators to filibuster it.