Mcconnell Takes Indirect Swipe At Trump On America's Role In The World

SIMI VALLEY, California — Outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell took aim at the isolationist faction of the Republican Party — and an implicit swipe at President-elect Donald Trump’s policies — in a speech Saturday, arguing the U.S. must double down on its commitments to alliances and hard military power to maintain its credibility on the international stage.

Speaking at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, after which he received a standing ovation, the Kentucky Republican invoked the hawkish legacy of the 40th president, arguing that “influential voices” are forgetting the lessons of the Cold War amid growing threats from China and Russia.

“Within the party Ronald Reagan once led so capably, it is increasingly fashionable to suggest that the sort of global leadership he modeled is no longer America’s place,” McConnell said.

“But let’s be absolutely clear: America will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline,” McConnell said, paraphrasing Trump’s longtime campaign slogan.

Though McConnell stepped aside as GOP leader, he’ll continue to be a relevant player in Washington, maintaining a powerful perch as chair of the Senate Defense Appropriations panel, which helps dictate the Pentagon’s budget.

And though he didn’t mention Trump, McConnell’s remarks underscore that he could be a foil to the incoming administration on national security issues next year when he leaves leadership.

McConnell — who received the “Peace Through Strength” award alongside outgoing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin — criticized the state of U.S. military deterrence and called for deep investments to beef up weapons production. His first-ever appearance at the event, an annual conclave for the defense establishment, highlights the broader debate within the GOP about U.S. engagement in world affairs versus a more isolationist “America First” approach.

McConnell heaped criticism on elements of both parties, arguing they are endorsing “a dangerous fiction” about the U.S.’ place in the world.

"At both ends of our politics, a dangerous fiction is taking hold — that America’s primacy and the fruits of our leadership are self-sustaining,” McConnell said. “Even as allies across NATO and the Indo-Pacific renew their own commitments to hard power, to interoperability, and to collective defense, some now question America’s own role at the center of these force-multiplying institutions and partnerships.”

He also criticized the Pentagon, industry and Congress for the state of U.S. readiness for a major war. He scolded the Defense Department for “anemic” budgets he argued “encourage using critical munitions as bill-payers.” And he faulted lawmakers for an inability to secure military funding on time.

In a preview of McConnell’s likely top agenda item in his next act leading the Senate Defense Appropriations panel, he called for “generational investments in the national defense enterprise” to supercharge weapons production.

"The Pentagon is not equipped to meet the demands of protracted or multi-theater conflict,” he said. “Neither is our defense industrial base."

The Senate Republican leader also challenged the defense industry to ramp up immediately to more quickly produce needed weapons.

"Patriotic companies have more work to do to expand production capacity. And they need to do it today, rather than wait for contracts we all know are coming,” McConnell said. “We need to adopt new technologies more quickly and expand production capacity at the same time."

McConnell has been a steadfast advocate of substantial U.S. aid to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of countering Russian aggression and upholding Democratic values. Trump, and his wing of the Republican party, have expressed skepticism toward assistance to Ukraine and the NATO alliance.