Mitch McConnell Announces Retirement as Senate Republican Leader

McConnell's departure after decades of influence marks a pivotal moment for the GOP, as the party faces a Trump-fueled leadership contest.

Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate GOP leader, announced he will step down after this term, ending a tenure marked by significant conservative achievements.
McConnell's decision to retire has sparked a battle for leadership within the Republican Party, with potential successors showing varying degrees of loyalty to Donald Trump.
Concerns about McConnell's health and his relationship with Trump have fueled speculation about his retirement, despite his strategic silence on the timing.
McConnell's leadership has been pivotal in reshaping the federal judiciary, including the appointment of three Supreme Court justices who played a role in overturning Roe v. Wade.
The race to replace McConnell as the Republican leader in the Senate is seen as a referendum on the party's future direction, particularly its stance on foreign aid and U.S. alliances.