The New York Times is admitting something they previously pretended did not exist, Mitch McConnell is ready to fight Donald Trump. You guys have watched this battle before, and you guys know that John Thune is the exact same ideological construct as his mentor, Mitch McConnell. We do not need to pretend here.
An additional aspect to watch closely. We know the Intelligence Community, the “Six Ways from Sunday” group, are going to do whatever is needed in order to protect their equity interests from the return of President Trump. Again, no pretending is needed.
Currently, as Senate Majority Leader, John Thune elevates to the intelligence “oversight” group known as the Gang of Eight. Four members of the Gang of Eight (Go8) come out of the Senate, and four from the House.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, SSCI Vice-Chairman Mark Warner, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are three of the four from the Senate. However, we still do not know who will join Thune from the GOP side. Who will be the Republican SSCI Chairman?
Internally, Susan Collins is now Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Mitch McConnell is now Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, a specifically taken position to retain control of Senate rules (think Cloture, Filibuster and importantly, Recess Appointments via Senate schedule).
With Thune on the Gang of Eight, Collins as Appropriations (spending), and McConnell in charge of ‘rules’, who joins Thune on the Gang of Eight?
The three most likely SSCI members who could be given the role are: Tom Cotton, James Lankford or John Cornyn. My suspicion based on the DeceptiCon playbook, and his skeptical statements about Trump intelligence nominations, would be to watch out for Senator James Lankford.
Cornyn who challenged Thune for leadership, is not currently in any of the leadership roles. Perhaps he will be given the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair; who knows. Senator Cotton, a Sea Island participant, would be another stealth move.
We need to watch closely who John Thune (with McConnell directing) puts into the role of SSCI Chairman. That’s part of the Intelligence Community weapon against the risk presented by a return of President Donald Trump.
NEW YORK TIMES – The last time President Donald J. Trump was in the White House, Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican who was then the majority leader, played a crucial role in empowering him and pushing through his agenda.
But Mr. McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader, is stepping down from that post in January. This time he appears to be positioning himself to do the opposite, choosing to focus on issues that could put him at odds with Mr. Trump on policy and personnel at the dawn of his second term.
In recent days, including during a late-night session of votes on the Senate floor last week, Mr. McConnell, 82, has told colleagues that his impending exit from leadership has left him feeling “liberated.”
He has signaled skepticism about some of the president-elect’s most divisive picks for his administration, staying mum on their selections and saying last week that the withdrawal of former Representative Matt Gaetz from consideration as attorney general was “appropriate.” And Mr. McConnell has telegraphed that as he moves to cement his legacy in his remaining time in the Senate, he plans to prioritize two issues that just happen to be subjects on which he disagrees strongly with Mr. Trump.
Mr. McConnell, whose current term ends in 2027 and who has not said whether he will seek another, has said he plans to focus intently during the next two years on advancing his interventionist strain of foreign policy, which flies in the face of the president-elect’s “America First” approach. He also wants to concentrate on preserving the Senate’s institutional independence at a time when Mr. Trump, who will have a governing trifecta in January, has made clear that he means to bend the chamber to his will. (read more)
Watch who Thune and McConnell make the SSCI Chairman.
Of the three mentioned for SSCI, I actually prefer Tom Cotton. Despite his Sea Island ties, at least he often speaks out on the right side of issues, including defending President Trump on a lot of issues. Looks like he is calling out the obstructionists who are trying to “Trump proof” the DOD and set up roadblocks. And according to Fox News, it seems that Cotton might be picked for SSCI:
Cotton was recently elected to serve as chairman of the Senate Republican conference in the new Congress. He is also expected to take Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s place as the head of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tom-cotton-slams-partisans-obstructionists-dod-reportedly-plotting-block-trump-plans
I hope it’s Cotton and not Lankford. We in Oklahoma are disgusted with him.
Lankford is an open borders, amnesty for all never-Trump RINO. He gave the Democrats the horrible “Borders Security” bill to use to run against Trump and Conservatives during the campaign. But he’s just one of 27 fellow RINOs in the Senate who are just like him.
Absolutely agree! Lankford and Mullins are traitors to Oklahomans and the nation.
McConnell is a traitor to the United States of America. Period. Full Stop.
The Turtle is like a festering boil on your backside that you can’t reach to lance……………
They like to keep telling us we live in a democracy. Voters gave Trump a mandate to implement his policies. The House and Senate work for the people who hired them. So, I’m sure the backstabbing anti-Trumpers, the RINOs, and those that the intelligence agencies have dirt on will never do anything to sabotage Trump or oppose the will of the people.
Jen, that is such a nice picture you just “painted” of “democracy.” Too bad, it’s on one of those “paint by numbers” templates – and not the real thing.
Jennifer, you forgot the /s.
I think trump should bust him in the frigging mouth, methaphorically (sp) speaking.
‘ An additional aspect to watch closely. We know the Intelligence Community, the “Six Ways from Sunday” group, are going to do whatever is needed in order to protect their equity interests from the return of President Trump. Again, no pretending is needed. ‘
Some might observe, “of course they will”, and furthermore the means of that will be obscured and not what outsiders would expect.
Including possibly manipulations of Trump directly, either voluntary or involuntary.
Some have wondered at how strange it is that he seems immune to blackmail. Others have pointed out:
Maybe he isn’t, and the manipulation is using him as controlled opposition.
There are other ways to coerce behavior besides blackmail. (e.g., “Nice family you got there, it’d be a shame if something bad happened to any of them”.)
So you think that he is the controlled opposition?
I suppose there’s a chance, since I never like to say never. But, I feel, it’s a minuscule chance. I do concede it’s strange that they haven’t been able to dig up anything on him. Someone in the business world, primarily dealing with dirty democrats—for decades. How could there not be.
But, if you look at it through any other lens, there are so many reasons why I’d say it’s not true.
First, why would he subject himself to all this abuse—even if he has an ego and is narcissistic, like many believe. Everyone—especially on the left, loved him. Oprah, the view, Howard stern all had him on countless times and praised him. Rappers made songs about him. Seems like it would be easier to be a loved “narcissist” than not.
Second, he had (as still has) a good life. It could have been easier and better by NOT RUNNING.
Third, if he’s the “controlled opposition,” then why steal an election from him and expose your ways to steal? Why not just keep him in office? They already had him boxed in somewhat with RINO and lawfare attacking him from both sides. He would’ve been less dangerous staying in for 4 more years than he is now, with a clean slate and knowing what he knows and being able to plan and vet for 4 more years.
I could go on and list numerous other reasons. But these 3 should be a good start to WHY he’s NOT the controlled opposition. Though I’m always open to listening to reasons why he MIGHT be and not just the SPECULATION that he could be.
If I were Trump and someone said that to me, he would be a dead-man-walking. And then I would wait for another fool to expose himself.
Same resistance Trump saw in his first term. Same RINO uniparty actors. This is President Trumps last term. I expect his veto pen will be well exercised this term forcing this band of traitors to further expose themselves so they can be lined up for being primaried by a MAGA candidate. Getting rid of the CR and omnibus funding mechanisms is a target and I expect early on a government shutdown. Trump will say deal or no deal. Winning!
Withe only 20 actual rebel Republicans in the House as of the speaker vote and 19 F-rated “Republicans” in the Senate, veto overrides are not impossible.
Donald would need to bring the fedgov to a halt to the extent of NOT sending out Social Security and other federal benefits AND military pay in order to get what he wants and considering how incredibly unpopular that would be for both halves of the UniParty, I see no problem in that forcing them to override his veto in that sort of radical case which is REQUIRED to FORCE change.
He needs the line item veto power which they will also not allow him.
Our insanely corrupted system IS NOT going to be fixed BY the system. There are trillions at stake to NOT fix it.
Violence won’t either because the 74 million useful idiots who voted for a certified Marxist/Maoist duo of idiots WON’T be on your side.
Put the Senate on permanent RECESS
Disconcerting that we are still dealing with Mcconnell. The truth is that eventually he will meet his Maker. Hopefully, he will repent before then.
It’s just disappointing that the Maker will get to Glitch before the voters of KY.
My guess is Lanford for SSCI.
He seems like the weakest personality of the three, and the easiest one to manipulate.
If you look at him, he has the look of someone that is being BLACKMAILED…….IMHO
We need a “Special Prosecutor” to review “Insider Trading” which will then lead to money laundering and kickbacks…….In BOTH parties mind you, faster way for resignations in the place of TERM LIMITS……..Hmmmmm, wonder who could field that position…:)
Collins, McConnell, and Thune. I hate the GOP. MAGA needs a new home.
Now you know why I love my “user” name on this website. Btw, you forgot to include Murkowski and Cornyn.
And there it is!
It’s not like many of us didn’t know, because we did and do.
The Gang of Eight was created to rule behind the throne. It works.
This is were Americans failed…these seditious weasels should have been voted out long ago. It’s pathetic that have to drain this swamp rot after all Trump and the American people have worked hard to overcome. Only to have these road blocks infront of Trump.
There was no Republican running against Cornyn, last time. How do we primary him?
Our VSGPDJT has stated many times he “has them all” referring to the “goods” on all the swamp commies. I believe him, I think from now on it’s just a matter of timing….
Get yer popcorn ready, grab a chair and sit back and watch the fun…….
Cocaine Mitch following Vodka Nancy by stepping into the background and pulling the strings. Typical swamp move.
We absolutely must return to the original, Constitutional method of selecting members of the Senate, they must again be selected by the State Legislatures not a popular vote because the Senate is the voice of the states.
Why does that picture of Barrasso, Thune, McConnell and Cornyn invoke the emotions of disgust & contempt within me rather than one of pride?
I think this big game of chess comes down to the house and the senate. Will 47 gets his picks nominated? Will ALL of them be nominated? What kind of roadblock’s will the senate use? Will Johnson provide the recess cover for 47 to use putting the senate into recess? Will the senate want to risk that?
if the senate does risk that, the senate could effectively be neutered—for a long time if not forever. Most of 47’s appointments could be made recess. Yes, the appointments won’t get paid. Most of them don’t NEED the money. They would be willing to serve without pay.
Does the senate want the scrutiny and pressure 47 can put on from the bully pulpit? The MAGA crowd is much bigger and much more diverse. Mitch thinks he’s untouchable. But you investigate him and his wife, things can change. Does 47 know- and can he apply—the fulcrum to the pressure points, like he has to foreign countries, especially with the tariffs. What can he use? Declassification? Sunlight? I’m sure he has them, but would it be like a nuclear war—assured mutual destruction? Not of 47, but our country.
Last, remember Gaetz has removed himself from nomination, but what if he’s appointed during a recess appointment? That would just happen—without early announcement. Something to think about.
I think he is looking at Florida Governor or Special Prosecutor for the DOJ.
As a rule, I don’t like to wish harm come to humans. As McConnell has proven time and again that he is inhuman and Satanic, wishing his demise would not necessarily violate my long-held principles! Why he doesn’t switch to the Democrat Party, where his real core values lie, is beyond me!
Only the good die young.
if mitch wants a fight with president trump…he’ll find a willing opponent…who isn’t playing around.
my money is on president trump.
Most Republicans are Democrats. No Democrats are Republicans.
We Need to have a recall election here in KY. I need to find out what it will take to make that happen. Or even if we can do that. This fossil needs to be gone. He needs to retire and slink away like the snake he is. We tried to out vote him for years. That didn’t happen. Maybe we can RECALL him.
Republicans won’t solve your problems, but Democrats cause them.
surly it will be Satan Himself… He’s the one who is running the rino’s
Oklahoma your senator sucks
@SenatorLankford tells CNN that Trump’s appointees will go through a lengthy confirmation process.
Praises the intelligence community as if they are heroic and confirms he is not sure Pam Bondi will be impartial.
He voted to confirm Merrick Garland.
Republicans, you better get your act together or you will win nothing again anytime soon.
https://x.com/DefiyantlyFree/status/1860846082500051002
Glitch McTurdle’s team gets to the Super Bowl and he announces “I think we’ll play the subs today”.
America Last Loser.