Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) decision to conclude his storied political career marks the end of an era for Senate Republicans, especially as the longtime GOP leader increasingly signals he’s a maverick unafraid to cross President Trump in his second term.

McConnell has already voted against three of Trump’s Cabinet picks — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He was the only Senate Republican to vote against Gabbard and Kennedy.

Trump’s bellicose rhetoric toward Ukraine this week put one of McConnell’s most important issues on the front burner. While he has been muted in any criticism toward Trump on his blaming Ukraine for the Russian war, it is difficult to see the longest-serving Senate leader in history staying quiet.

Colleagues expect him to speak up, and they describe an elder statesman who is ready for a new chapter but is also willing to sound off on his values and priorities.

“He’s staying in it. He could easily take a two-year nap, but he’s not,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said.

“Mitch McConnell’s a guy who’s pretty comfortable in his place and very supportive of new leadership. But at the same time, he’s not going to just ride into the sunset without at least one more good gunfight,” Cramer continued. “Maybe there will be two or three of them.”

McConnell’s role is likely to require a balancing act as he tries to stamp his own imprint on matters without complicating the picture for his successor, now-Senate........

© The Hill