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 retired attorney. He has served as a U.S. Senator from Kentucky since 1985, making him the longest-serving senator in the state's history. From 2007 to 2025, he led the Senate Republican Conference, holding positions as both minority and majority leader. Notably, he holds the record for the longest tenure as a Senate party leader in U.S. history (2015-2021).

Sections (7)

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

June 2009: Response to Sotomayor's 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 would require lengthy review and advocated against Democrats hastening the confirmation process.

May 2010: Opposition to Elena Kagan's confirmation

In May 2010, after President Obama nominated Elena Kagan to succeed John Paul Stevens, Mitch McConnell expressed concerns about Kagan's independence from the White House. He announced his opposition to Kagan's confirmation, saying she was not forthcoming enough about her views on basic principles of American constitutional law.

October 2010: Goal for Obama Presidency

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

2010: Earmark Ban

In 2010, Congress banned earmarks, a practice McConnell regularly used for Kentucky businesses and institutions. He has been criticized for his approach to healthcare issues.

2010: Opposition to stricter campaign finance laws

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

2011: Debt-Ceiling Crisis

In 2011, the Republican caucus threatened to force the United States to default on its debt, with McConnell saying he had learned that "it's a hostage that's worth ransoming".

2013: Government shutdown

In 2013, the federal government shut down due to Congress's failure to enact legislation to fund it.

2014: Becoming Senate Majority Leader and blocking judicial appointments

In 2014, Republicans gained control of the Senate, and Mitch McConnell became majority leader. He then initiated a "near blockade" of Obama's judicial appointments, leading to fewer confirmations compared to previous administrations.

February 13, 2016: Refusal to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee

On February 13, 2016, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Mitch McConnell stated 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 of their next Supreme Court justice.

March 16, 2016: Nomination of Merrick Garland and Senate refusal to act

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

May 2016: Disagreement with Trump over comments about Judge Curiel

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

July 2016: Disagreement with Trump over criticism of Humayun Khan's parents

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

August 2016: Statement on blocking Obama's Supreme Court nominee

In August 2016, 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: Response 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 everywhere and take full responsibility for his comments.

January 3, 2017: Expiration of Merrick Garland's nomination

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 refusal to act under Mitch McConnell's direction.

April 2017: Elimination of Filibuster for Supreme Court Nominations

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

2017: Failure to Repeal Obamacare

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

July 2018: Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court

In July 2018, Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace 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: Allegations against Kavanaugh and McConnell's response

In September 2018, Christine Blasey Ford publicly alleged that Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her in 1982. After it was reported that Democrats were investigating a second allegation against Kavanaugh, Mitch McConnell stated that Judge Kavanaugh would be voted on.

October 2018: Statement on potential 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.

August 2019: Opposition to Filibuster Elimination

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

November 5, 2019: McConnell's comments on Trump's impeachment

On November 5, 2019, as the House of Representatives began public hearings on the impeachment of President Trump, Mitch McConnell stated that he was pretty sure how an impeachment trial would likely end and that it would not lead to a removal.

December 14, 2019: Coordination with White House on Trump's impeachment trial

On December 14, 2019, Mitch McConnell met with White House counsel Pat Cipollone and White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland. Later that day, he 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 and remove him from office.

December 17, 2019: Rejection of witnesses for Trump's 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. He also stated that he was not an impartial juror and that the process was political.

2019: Criticism of House Democratic legislation

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.

March 2020: Encouraging judges to retire

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 should declare bankruptcy instead of receiving COVID-19 aid

On April 22, 2020, Mitch McConnell suggested on the Hugh Hewitt radio show that states should be allowed to declare bankruptcy instead of receiving additional COVID-19 aid, drawing criticism from state and local officials.

September 2020: Announcement to vote on Trump's Supreme Court nominee

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

2020: Refusal to recognize Biden's victory in the 2020 election

Following the 2020 election where Joe Biden defeated Trump, Mitch McConnell initially refused to recognize Biden as the winner, avoiding repeating or contradicting Trump's voter fraud claims, but arguing Trump had the right to challenge the results, while celebrating Republican victories in Senate and House races.

2020: Criticism of Trump's Election Overturn Attempts

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

January 12, 2021: Reported support for 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, believing it would make it easier for Republicans to purge the party of Trump and rebuild the party.

February 13, 2021: Vote to acquit Trump in impeachment trial

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

April 10, 2021: Trump's personal attack on McConnell

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

May 28, 2021: Vote against independent commission for January 6 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.