Growing Dissent: Trump's Senate Supporters Turn Against McConnell
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| Growing Dissent: Trump's Senate Supporters Turn Against McConnell |
- WASHINGTON, Feb 11 - The increasing influence of Donald Trump has led to a souring of relations between top U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell and his Republican colleagues, as he negotiates with Democrats to secure more Ukraine aid. Hardliners within McConnell's party have launched mounting attacks against him, viewing his willingness to work across the aisle as a liability.
- Kentucky Republican McConnell, who holds the record as the longest-serving party leader at 81, has faced criticism from hardliners since Trump rejected a bipartisan deal McConnell supported. The deal aimed to address the flow of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border and provide aid to Ukraine and Israel. Some hardliners. opposed the deal as they sought a trade-off for the Ukraine aid.
- Despite the rejection, McConnell continues to collaborate with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to advance a $95 billion standalone security bill. However, this collaboration is viewed unfavorably among Trump-aligned colleagues, who believe Trump holds more influence and represents the future of the party.
- Senator Josh Hawley acknowledged Trump's influential role within the party, stating that McConnell is "probably not the future." This sentiment is echoed by Senator Mike Braun, who believes the growing support for Trump among Republicans is contributing to the level of opposition faced by McConnell.
- While hardline Republicans have been a force in the House of Representatives, the activism among Senate Trump supporters has reached unprecedented levels. These Trump-aligned senators engage in high-decibel exchanges during closed-door meetings, creating tensions within the party.
- The relationship between McConnell and Trump has been rocky since McConnell recognized Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. McConnell accused Trump of provoking the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot after the Senate acquitted Trump of impeachment charges.
- Some Republican hardliners have openly discussed replacing McConnell, drawing parallels to the removal of House Speaker Mike Johnson's predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Mike Lee, both hardliners, have called for a leadership change.
- Despite the dissent, McConnell still enjoys support from a supermajority of his conference. While some see this as an opportunity to challenge his leadership, others believe it will strengthen support for McConnell.
- The rising popularity of Trump's pugilistic and populist style has been evident in the Senate, which is traditionally known for its order and decorum. Trump has repeatedly called for McConnell's removal, but McConnell has responded with humor, citing his favorite brand of bourbon.
- Notwithstanding the strained relations, Republican Senator Marco Rubio believes that McConnell will likely continue as leader even if Trump returns to the White House, emphasizing their common ground on many issues.
- The departure from the headquarters may have been influenced by heavy Israeli barrages and persistent winter rains, which caused several parts of the tunnel to be blocked with displaced sand and knee-high water.
- UNRWA stated that it was not officially informed about the tunnel by Israeli authorities and had vacated the headquarters on October 12, five days after the war started. Consequently, UNRWA claimed it couldn't confirm or comment on the Israeli findings, citing a lack of military and security expertise for such inspections.
- The statement mentioned that in the past, when suspicious cavities were found near or under UNRWA premises, protest letters were promptly sent to the parties involved, including both Gaza's de facto authorities (Hamas) and Israeli authorities.
- A senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, dismissed the Israeli statements about the tunnel as "lies," accusing Israel of attempting to undermine UNRWA's work and covering up its decision by making such allegations.
- Supporters of UNRWA argue that it is the sole agency capable of aiding Palestinians in deepening humanitarian distress, while Israel contends that the agency is infiltrated by Hamas and should be replaced. Hamas denies operating in civilian facilities.
- Ido, an Israeli spokesperson, stated that they know Hamas has people working in UNRWA and emphasized the issue lies with Hamas, not international organizations operating in Gaza.
- Geolocating the tunnel under UNRWA Headquarters was impossible due to a lack of cellphone reception. Instead, reporters were asked to place personal items in a bucket lowered by rope into a vertical hole on the headquarters' grounds, being reunited with the items during the tunnel tour.
- During the trip, the Israeli military imposed conditions on journalists, prohibiting photographs of military intelligence, maps, or specific equipment in the convoy of armored vehicles. Approval was also required before transmitting photographs and video footage taken during the trip.
