McConnell announcement will deprive Trump of a power play if he's re-elected

Mitch McConnell will finally step down as Republican Senate leader after two decades in that post, and his decision has everything to do with Donald Trump.

The Kentucky Republican despises the former president, who's almost certain to become the GOP nominee for a third time, and Politico's Jonathan Martin reported that McConnell's decision to step down is based on a combination of age and health concerns, political considerations, and a palpable decline in his own power and influence.

“Democrats hate me because of the court," McConnell has told friends, "and Republicans hate me because of Trump.”

McConnell has privately told Republicans this is the worst Congress he's served in, which is a view shared by many other lawmakers, and he made his announcement on his own terms, before another health episode or intra-party rebellion forced his hand, and worked with veteran Associated Press reporter and biographer Michael Tackett to reveal his decision shortly before his speech.

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"Which is not to say this is a triumphant exit," Martin wrote. "It’s just better than what the alternative could have been later in the year, and McConnell knew as much. It’s also his own way of denying Trump the honor of, again, demanding his defenestration. McConnell will surely endorse the former president this year but will do so as a lame duck leader. How can Trump demand McConnell be fired when he already quit?"

"If that sounds sad or even pathetic for such a consequential figure — every bit the Master of the Senate Robert Caro described LBJ being in another era — well it’s also McConnell’s way of looking after his party," Martin added.

By announcing he'll step down as leader but serve out his term until 2027, McConnell can avoid a public feud with Trump and possibly help Senate Republicans retake the majority, and he'll spend whatever remains of his political capital pushing through legislation to fund Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel.

“I have many faults," McConnell said in his speech, "misunderstanding politics is not one of them.”