The $30 million toe in the water

Retiring Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is making waves in his final term,openly breaking with President Trump on key policies, including foreign policy and tariffs.

McConnell, a longtime Senate Republican leader from Kentucky, has been a thorn in Trump's side, criticizing the president's approach to issues like peace talks with Ukraine and defense spending.

As the top appropriator for the Pentagon budget , McConnell has questioned the president's decisions, including the stonewalling of Congress on $400 million in delayed assistance to Ukraine .

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

McConnell's approach to a second Trump presidency has been to focus on issues where he can draw the sharpest ideological contrast, particularly on foreign policy.

He has criticized the president's brand of populism, which he believes is a threat to the institution of the Senate.

McConnell's legacy as a Reaganite institutionalist will be defined by this final stand against the populist tide.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

McConnell's break with Trump has been largely overlooked by the media,with the focus instead on other Senate Republicans who have fallen out with the president.

However, McConnell's commentary looks restrained compared to other independent-minded Republicans,who have been more vocal in their criticism of Trump.

McConnell has avoided hallway interviews and prefers to deliver statements in the form of op-eds and occasional Senate speeches.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

McConnell's voting record has been a source of tension with Trump, who has accused him of suffering from Trump derangement syndrome.

However, McConnell has also received support from the president, who came to his defense after an aide embarrassed him at a committee hearing.

McConnell's final stand against Trump is a testament to his commitment to the institution of the Senate and his legacy as a Reaganite institutionalist.