McConnell’s exit as Senate leader means new uncertainty as GOP falls in line with Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Long before Sen. Mitch McConnell surprised colleagues Wednesday announcing he would step down as the Republican leader this fall, he knew the time had come.

Hard-right Republican senators aligned with Donald Trump wanted to oust him. Trump was easily becoming the party’s frontrunner for a do-over election with President Joe Biden. And, having largely recovered his health from a devastating fall last year, McConnell was back on his game.

In assembling top aides in January to disclose his intentions, ahead of his 82nd birthday, McConnell told them he had just one more priority to secure: supplemental aid for Ukraine as it battles Russia.

“Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular moment in time,” McConnell said in a speech delivered midday Wednesday from the Senate floor.

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His voice cracking at times, he said that’s why he