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 an American politician and attorney currently serving as the senior United States senator from Kentucky, a position he has held since 1985. He is Kentucky's longest-serving senator. McConnell served as the leader of the Senate Republican Conference from 2007 to 2025, with periods as both minority and majority leader. His tenure as Senate party leader from 2015 to 2021, makes 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

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.

June 2009: McConnell on Sotomayor Nomination

In June 2009, after Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor as associate justice, Mitch McConnell and Jeff Sessions opined that Sotomayor's 17 years as a federal judge and over 3,600 judicial opinions would require lengthy review and advocated against Democrats hastening the confirmation process.

May 2010: McConnell Comments on Elena Kagan Nomination

In May 2010, after President Obama nominated Elena Kagan to succeed the retiring John Paul Stevens, Mitch McConnell said in a Senate speech that Americans wanted to make sure Kagan would be independent of influence from White House as an associate justice and noted that Obama called Kagan a friend of his in announcing her nomination.

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

In October 2010, Mitch McConnell stated that the single most important thing he wanted to achieve was for President Obama to be a one-term president.

2010: Congress Banned Earmarks

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

2010: Supreme Court Ruling on Campaign Finance

In 2010, Mitch McConnell led opposition to stricter campaign finance laws, culminating in the Supreme Court ruling that partially overturned the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold).

2010: Citizens United v. FEC Decision

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

2011: Debt-Ceiling Crisis

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

2013: Elimination of Filibuster for Presidential Nominations

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

2014: "McConnelling" Emerges

During the 2014 election campaign, Mitch McConnell was lampooned for posting campaign B-roll footage online, leading to the practice of satirically interspersing the B-roll with other footage, termed "McConnelling".

2014: Republicans Gain Senate Control; McConnell Becomes Majority Leader

In 2014, Republicans gained control of the Senate, and Mitch McConnell became majority leader, using his new power to start what was considered "a near blockade" of Obama's judicial appointments.

February 13, 2016: McConnell Blocks Obama Supreme Court Nominee

On February 13, 2016, after the death of Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate would not consider any Supreme Court nominee put forth by President Obama, arguing 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. 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, after Donald Trump suggested that federal judge Gonzalo P. Curiel was biased against him because of his Mexican heritage, Mitch McConnell publicly disagreed, stating that Judge Curiel was born in Indiana and that all Americans come from somewhere else.

July 2016: McConnell Responds to Trump's Criticism of Khan's Parents

In July 2016, Mitch McConnell responded to Donald Trump's criticism of the parents of Humayun Khan, a Muslim-American soldier killed in Iraq, by stating that all Americans should value the patriotic service of those who defend the country in the armed services.

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

In an August 2016 speech in Kentucky, Mitch McConnell said that one of his proudest moments was when he looked Barack Obama in the eye and said, 'Mr. President, you will not fill the Supreme Court vacancy.'

October 7, 2016: McConnell Responds to Access Hollywood tape

On October 7, 2016, following the Donald Trump Access Hollywood controversy, Mitch McConnell stated that Trump needed to apologize directly to women and girls and take full responsibility for his lack of respect for women shown in his comments on the tape.

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, as Senate Republicans, under Mitch McConnell's direction, had refused to take any action on the nomination.

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 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) despite consolidated Republican control of government.

April 2018: McConnell Calls Garland Decision Most Consequential

In April 2018, Mitch McConnell said the decision not to act on Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court was "the most consequential decision I've made in my entire public career".

July 2018: Trump Nominates Kavanaugh to Supreme Court

In July 2018, Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace the retiring Anthony Kennedy as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. 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. Mitch McConnell stated that Kavanaugh would be voted on in the Senate floor.

October 2018: McConnell on Supreme Court Vacancy in 2020

In October 2018, Mitch McConnell said 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, arguing the 2016 precedent was not applicable.

August 2019: Opposition to Eliminating Filibuster on Legislation

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 Impeachment

On November 5, 2019, as the House of Representatives began public hearings on the impeachment of President Trump, Mitch McConnell stated that he believed an impeachment trial would not lead to Trump's removal from office.

December 14, 2019: McConnell Discusses Trump Impeachment Trial Strategy

On December 14, 2019, after meeting with White House counsel Pat Cipollone and White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland, Mitch McConnell stated that he would be in "total coordination with the White House counsel's office" for Trump's impeachment trial and that there was "no chance" the Senate would convict Trump.

December 17, 2019: McConnell Rejects Witnesses for Trump Impeachment Trial

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

2019: Criticism for Withholding Votes

In 2019, Nancy Pelosi criticized Mitch McConnell for withholding votes on measures passed by the Democratic-controlled House, including the For the People Act of 2019, the Equality Act, and the Paycheck Fairness Act.

2019: McConnell on Judicial Vacancies

In a 2019 interview, Mitch McConnell credited himself for the large number of judicial vacancies created in the last two years of Obama's presidency.

March 2020: McConnell Encourages Judges to Retire Before Election

By March 2020, Mitch McConnell had contacted an unknown number of judges, encouraging them to retire before the 2020 election.

April 22, 2020: McConnell Suggests States Declare Bankruptcy

On April 22, 2020, Mitch McConnell suggested that states should declare bankruptcy instead of receiving additional COVID-19 aid funds, leading to sharp criticism from state and local officials.

September 2020: McConnell Announces Vote on Ginsburg Replacement

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

2020: Criticism of Trump's Attempts to Overturn the Election

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

2020: McConnell Refuses to Recognize Biden's Victory Initially

In 2020, after Joe Biden defeated Trump in the election, Mitch McConnell initially refused to recognize Biden as the winner, although he did not repeat or contradict Trump's false claims of voter fraud, arguing Trump had the right to challenge the results while celebrating Republican Senate and House victories.

January 12, 2021: McConnell Reportedly Supported Impeaching Trump

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.

February 13, 2021: McConnell Votes to Acquit Trump

On February 13, 2021, Mitch McConnell voted to acquit Trump in his impeachment trial, arguing 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 called Mitch McConnell a "dumb son of a bitch" and questioned whether McConnell had ever thanked him for hiring his wife. McConnell did not respond publicly.

May 28, 2021: McConnell Votes Against January 6 Commission

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.