Congress
McConnell slams Trump administration’s peace talks with Russia
Sen. Mitch McConnell warned Thursday that advisers to President Donald Trump are pursuing an “illusory peace” with Russia that “shreds America’s credibility, leaves Ukraine under threat, weakens our alliances and emboldens our enemies.”
They are among the most pointed words from any elected Republican since Trump ordered U.S. officials to begin direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government about bringing the Ukraine war to a close. And it is some of the most direct criticism McConnell has levied against the administration since giving up his top GOP leadership role and pledging to speak out against the isolationist wing of his party.
“When American officials court the favor of an adversary at the expense of allies, when they mock our friends to impress an enemy, they reveal their embarrassing naivete,” McConnell said, according to prepared remarks shared with Blue Light News ahead of a U.S.-Ukraine Foundation event Thursday where he was honored.
“Unless we change course, the outcome we’re headed for today is the one we can least afford: a headline that reads ‘Russia wins, America loses,’” he added.
Trump sent shockwaves through Washington when he and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last month. That confrontation came as Trump has adopted a warmer tone toward Putin, sparking pushback from some Republicans.
While some GOP lawmakers have warned the administration not to bend to Russia as it tries to hash out a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv, many top congressional Republicans have signaled they are willing to give Trump space.
Not McConnell, however, who vowed shortly after he announced last year that he would step down as Senate Republican leader that he would use his final years in the chamber to advocate for a muscular foreign policy. As Senate GOP leader he helped shepherd additional Ukraine aid through Congress, even as he faced fierce pushback from MAGA-oriented Republicans in the House, as well as some of his own members.
That was part of the reason McConnnell was honored Thursday with the “Star of Ukraine” award from the foundation, recognizing “individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to advancing Ukraine’s freedom and security.”
Though McConnell has supported most of Trump’s nominees, he has voted against high-profile national security picks, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He also ultimately supported the seven-month funding bill Congress passed earlier this month while warning that it could hurt the Pentagon.
In his prepared remarks for Thursday’s event, McConnell did not directly criticize Trump, and he did not call out any of his advisers by name.
He also stressed the need to increase defense spending, pointing back to a “peace through strength” mantra that has been popular among Trump administration officials.
“But too many of those who use it — particularly among the president’s advisors — don’t seem ready to summon the resources and national will it requires,” he added.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is in the Capitol meeting with holdout GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Bill Cassidy of Louisiania as he tries to lock down their support for his confirmation as permanent leader of the Justice Department.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) declined to respond directly Wednesday to Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to denounce his former son-in-law Rep. Max Miller over abuse accusations leveled by Moreno’s daughter: “These aren’t accusations in my world,” he said.
“In my world, this is the reality,” Moreno told reporters at the Capitol. “This is not something that is theoretical to me. This is my lived reality of my daughter and my family every single solitary day.”
In an interview with Dasha Burns for Blue Light News’s The Conversation, Johnson declined to take sides in the dispute between Miller (R-Ohio) and Emily Moreno. He called for a House Ethics probe to “play out.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s expected choice for Army chief of staff faces resistance that could imperil his confirmation, according to the chair of the panel that needs to approve it.
Senate Armed Services head Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said Wednesday that he was aware of “some opposition within the committee” to acting Army chief of staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve taking the job on a permanent basis.
LaNeve, previously Hegseth’s senior military aide, was confirmed as Army vice chief of staff in January. But he has also served as acting chief of staff since April when Hegseth forced out popular Gen. Randy George, a move that drew widespread criticism from lawmakers in both parties.
Wicker said he was “not able to predict right now” if lawmakers could address concerns about LaNeve. He did not specify whether the concerns were raised by Republicans, but GOP resistance is likely given that nominees could advance through the committee on a party-line vote.
LaNeve has only held the position of four-star general for six months, an anomaly for the the senior most Army officer.
The Wall Street Journal first reported about Republican opposition to LaNeve, citing Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) concerns about his lack of experience at the four-star rank.
Ernst, in an interview, did not dispute that she was the source of the holdup. But she called it a moot point as President Donald Trump has not yet formally nominated LaNeve to the position. And she disputed reports that LaNeve’s lack of experience was the sticking point.
“I don’t think that time and grade has anything to do with leadership ability, so I don’t know how that came about, honestly.” she said. “That’s not what I’ve told anyone.”
If the opposition continues, Trump could decide to leave LeNeve in the acting position indefinitely.
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