The McConnell Project is an attempt by the right to keep the left from exercising power when in office by the skillful use of the various checks and balances in the federal government. On its own terms, it has been a success; with partisan legislation and major administrative initiatives off-limits, the only real power remaining in the hands of the left revolves around the budget. Times are changing, however; neither Trump nor DeSantis has any time for checks and balances. Both of the most likely GOP nominees want to politicize the DOJ; both want to replace thousands of career civil servants with right-wing extremists; Trump wants to bring several powerful independent government agencies under his control; and both undoubtedly will demand an end to the filibuster. Since Trump and DeSantis collectively poll at about 70 percent, one has to assume that this agenda has the support of the GOP electorate.
These proposed changes will empower the executive branch at the expense of civil servants, the American people, and Congress. What will Mitch do in response? Will he fight back, knowing that a government without guardrails can be used autocratically by the left as well as the right? Or will he just sit back and let it happen in the name of party unity?
Let’s hope we never find out.