Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is facing calls to resign after being photographed on Wednesday appearing frail. He had sustained an injury the previous day due to a fall.
The 82-year-old head of the Senate Republicans has experienced numerous health issues over the years, including multiple falls, one of which resulted in a concussion.
The incident shocked many in the Capitol when the Republican fell. The media hurried to his office to check on the leader and ensure his well-being. A photo of McConnell went viral online following his fall, showing someone assisting the top Republican in a wheelchair.
After the Kentucky Republican’s fall late last year, McConnell’s spokesperson provided an update.
“Leader McConnell tripped after lunch. He suffered a minor facial cut and sprained his wrist. He has been cleared to continue his schedule,” stated a spokesman for McConnell.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), who is set to take over as Senate GOP leader in January, informed reporters after the weekly Senate GOP policy luncheon that McConnell is “fine” and “in his office.” He directed any inquiries regarding McConnell to the senator’s staff.
Reports indicate that medical personnel with a wheelchair were summoned to assist the senator following his fall. Republican Sen. John Barrasso, the incoming whip, told the Daily Mail that McConnell “is fine.”
McConnell, who underwent examination by a medical team, has been “cleared to resume his schedule,” according to his office.
The outgoing Senate Republican leader has faced several health scares in recent years.
Last year, McConnell stated that he is “not leaving the Senate” and is dedicated to addressing the Republican Party’s “isolationist movement,” which some interpreted as a critique of President-elect Donald Trump and his forthcoming administration.
During an interview with WHAS radio host Terry Meiners, McConnell pledged to utilize his remaining tenure in the Senate to counter GOP colleagues who seek to limit U.S. support for foreign allies like Israel and Ukraine.
Despite his intention to resign as party leader, McConnell stated, “I’m not leaving the Senate.” He further remarked, “I’m particularly engaged in actively opposing the isolationist movement within my own party and many others as well.”
McConnell referenced Ukraine’s struggle against Russia, a cause to which the U.S. has committed tens of billions of dollars.
“The current symbol is, ‘are we going to assist Ukraine or not?’ And I believe it is critically important that we do so,” McConnell expressed.
Meiners pointed out that Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul has criticized McConnell, claiming he is disconnected from the people of Kentucky.
“Paul would be the first to admit that he identifies as an isolationist. He has always been one. This is not a new stance for him. He and I have consistently disagreed on this type of issue,” McConnell remarked, referring to Paul.
McConnell expressed that he finds it “more concerning” that others seem to be “moving in that direction, presenting arguments that I believe are easily countered.”
He added, “We’re not losing any of our troops; the Ukrainians are the ones engaged in the fighting. If the Russians succeed in taking Ukraine, some NATO country would be next, and then we would be right in the midst of it.”
Several GOP senators are already strategizing for a post-Mitch McConnell era, having grown increasingly frustrated with his leadership style and feeling confident that the party’s next Senate leader will perform better.
The senators conveyed to The Daily Caller that his insular, McConnell-focused approach to leadership is no longer suitable in today’s political environment, noting that most Republicans in the chamber believe collaboration is essential.
In late February, McConnell disclosed his choice to step down from his position as Senate Republican leader in November.
The senator from Kentucky expressed his commitment to complete his term, which ends in January 2027, “albeit from a different seat in the chamber.”
