Evening Report — Patel's in; McConnell won't seek relection

View Online Evening Report Thursday, Feb. 20 | By Jonathan Easley TRUMP FIRST 100 DAYS ©  AP Photo/Susan Walsh Trump asserts grip on GOP with Patel confirmation SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-Ky.) announced his retirement and Kash Patel was confirmed to lead the FBI in a whirlwind day in Washington that saw President Trump assert his grip on the Republican Party.   McConnell, who was first elected 41 years ago, took the occasion of his 83rd birthday to say he would not seek reelection in 2026.   "Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "Every day in between I've been humbled by the trust they've placed in me to do their business here."   McConnell has recently dealt with health issues and injuries sustained from numerous falls. The former Senate majority leader passed the torch to Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) in late 2024.   The Kentucky Republican was once seen as an ally to Trump, but their relationship soured after McConnell accused the president of "provoking" the "disgraceful" Jan. 6 riots, although he ultimately voted not to convict in Trump's second impeachment trial.   McConnell, a master strategist and ruthless tactician, shepherded the GOP Senate through the Obama years.   He famously refused to bring former President Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland to the floor for a vote in 2016 after the death of former conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.   Many Washington insiders assumed it wouldn't matter because Democrat Hillary Clinton was the heavy favorite to win. Trump won instead and nominated Justice Neil Gorsuch, reclaiming a conservative majority on the high court that persists to this day.   Trump World insiders have long been suspicious of McConnell, and he's increasingly bucked Trump in this second term.   McConnell voted against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and he was the lone GOP senator to vote against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. PATEL CONFIRMED TO LEAD FBI Patel's confirmation means all four of Trump's most controversial nominees will serve in his Cabinet.   Patel, who has vowed to overhaul the agency, overcame GOP concerns that he'd politicize the FBI and pursue political dissenters.   McConnell voted to confirm Patel.   Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was the lone GOP holdout this time.   "Mr. Patel has made numerous politically charged statements in his book and elsewhere discrediting the work of the FBI, the very institution he has been nominated to lead," Collins said in a statement. "These statements, in conjunction with the questionnaire sent to thousands of FBI employees, cast doubt on Mr. Patel's ability to advance the FBI's law enforcement mission in a way that is free from the appearance of political motivation."   Democrats protested outside FBI headquarters.   "Kash Patel, mark my words, will cause evil in this building behind us, and Republicans who vote for him will rue that day," Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said. VANCE THRILLS CONSERVATIVES AT CPAC Trump's impact on the GOP could also be felt in National Harbor, Md., at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).   Vice President Vance received a standing ovation from the CPAC crowd for his speech in Munich last week in which he excoriated the U.S.'s European allies, accusing them of abandoning democratic principles, and announced the U.S. would draw back from the global stage.   "Glad you guys liked it," Vance said to cheers at CPAC.   Trump and Elon Musk will address CPAC later this week. TRUMP'S AGENDA NEARS CRITICAL JUNCTURE IN CONGRESS Trump upended the budget calculus in Congress this week by backing the House GOP's one-bill plan to implement his tax cuts and spending priorities.   Regardless, Senate Republicans will move ahead with their two-bill plan and a vote-a-rama this week, with Senate leaders casting their efforts as a back-up plan if House Republicans can't get a bill jammed through with their slim majority.   The Hill's Mychael Schnell reports that three key GOP moderates are withholding support for the House budget resolution — even after Trump endorsed it — due to concerns about potential cuts to Medicaid and what the tax cuts could mean for the deficit.   And eight House Republicans in the Congressional Hispanic Conference sent a warning shot to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), as they seek to ensure "essential programs" like Medicaid, Pell Grants and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits "are not caught in the crossfire" of negotiations.   The House plans to move on its budget resolution when lawmakers return next week. 💡Perspectives: • The Economist: Donald Trump, the would-be king. • Washington Examiner: Democrats are learning it's not 2017 all over again. • Slate: How liberalism became uncool. • The Hill: Trump's executive orders tread a perilous path through the courts. • The American Prospect: How about a daily Democratic message? Read more:  • Trump's vow to preserve Medicaid collides with House GOP tax cuts. • 4 groups to watch as House GOP eyes vote on Trump agenda. • 5 things to watch at this year's CPAC • CPAC kick-off makes ripple, not waves in conservative circles. CATCH UP QUICK A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can proceed with mass government layoffs, rebuking a group of government employee unions' request to block the effort.  The Kennedy Center was evacuated after a bomb threat.   The U.S. and Canada will face off tonight in a politically charged match-up in the final game of the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off. U.S.-Canadian relations are on thin ice ahead of the match. President Trump called the U.S. team this morning to encourage a victory. "We look forward to the United States beating our soon-to-be 51st state Canada," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. NEWS THIS AFTERNOON ©  Alex Brandon, Associated Press Trump approval ticks down one month into second term President Trump has completed the first month of his second term, and new polls show his job approval ticking downward after a honeymoon period in which he posted the best numbers of his political career.   • The latest CNN-SSRS survey finds 47 percent approve of the job Trump is doing, against 52 percent who disapprove. Trump's approval rating is down from 49 percent in an Emerson College Polling survey in January, the latest in a string of surveys to show modest downward movement.   • A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday has the president's approval rating at 44 percent, a 1 percentage-point slip from January's poll. More than half of respondents disapprove of Trump's work thus far.   Voters are increasingly citing the economy as an area of concern after much of Trump's first month in office was focused on an offensive against the federal workforce.   "[The economy] was one of Donald Trump's great strengths. Now, it's one of his great weaknesses," said CNN polling analyst Harry Enten.   It's been a head-spinning first month for Trump, underscored by a blizzard of executive actions, federal agency cuts and new proposals that have caught Washington off guard.   The latest:   • Trump says he's considering sending Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) savings in the form of checks directly to Americans. NewsNation's Chris Cuomo interviewed the brainchild behind the idea.   • The IRS fired 6,700 employees Thursday.   • Trump is musing about a federal government "take over" of the District of Columbia.   • The Pentagon is considering major budget cuts, although defense hawks are certain to raise concerns about the proposal.   • Trump signed an executive order intended to identify and eliminate any federal financial benefits going to immigrants who entered the country illegally.   • The U.S. declared Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. Musk says drone strikes are now an option. 💡Perspectives: • Variety: How Greg Gutfeld toppled late night hosts in the ratings. • The Nation: How do you solve a problem like Eric Adams? • The Bulwark: Staying patriotic in Trump's America. • The Guardian: When the US knows the price and ignores values. • The New Republic: Americans are heading for the exits. Read more:  • Trump's IVF order: Dems allege 'PR stunt' as anti-abortion groups bristle. • Trump administration wants to fast-track hundreds of energy projects. • Google caught in crossfire over Gulf of America name change. • Acting Social Security commissioner clarifies claims about people older than 100 getting benefits. • DOGE efforts to access private data spark sharp pushback. IN OTHER NEWS ©  AP  Roundup: U.S., Ukraine tensions ramp up The chill running between U.S.-Ukraine relations is growing colder by the day, as the Trump administration embarks on its effort to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.   Retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, who is serving as special envoy for Ukraine, pulled out of a planned joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday.   Zelenksky and Kellogg met at the Ukrainian presidential palace, but the planned joint press conference did not take place, with Ukrainian spokesperson Serhii Nikiforov saying the U.S. did not want the two to appear together.   This comes amid a growing feud between President Trump and Zelensky.   Trump in recent days has called Zelensky a "dictator" and blamed him for Russia's unprovoked invasion three years ago.   Zelensky accused Trump of living in a Russian "disinformation space."   Speaking on Fox & Friends on Thursday, Trump's National Security adviser Mike Waltz accused Zelensky of "bad-mouthing" the Trump administration.   "It's unacceptable," Waltz said. "They need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal."   Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia this week to reestablish relations and discuss a framework for bringing and end to the war with Ukraine.   Ukrainian and European officials were not invited to take part, provoking further concerns that Trump intends to give a favorable deal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.   "These are classic Russian talking points," former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley said of Trump's remarks on Ukraine. "Exactly what Putin wants."   • Hamas on Thursday returned the remains of four dead hostages, including two Israeli children and their mother, who were abducted and killed during the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack.   Ariel Bibas and Kfir Bibas, who were 4 years old and 9 months old at the time of the attack, have become enduring symbols in Israel for Hamas's brutality. The remains of their mother, 32 year-old Shiri Bibas, and 83 year-old peace activist Oded Lifshitz were also returned.   Their coffins were displayed by masked Hamas militants in front of an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was pictured with fangs and blood dripping from his mouth.   Hamas offered to release its remaining hostages if Israel agrees to the next phase of the ceasefire deal. 💡Perspectives: • The Free Press: The Meaning of Kfir Bibas. • The Hill: Trump is losing on Ukraine. • The Hill: Europe just doesn't get it. • USA Today: Vance's speech shows VP's star is on the rise. • Politico: Was Bidenomics a big mistake? Read more:  • Ukrainians shocked, defiant in face of Trump attacks on Zelensky. • Ex-presidents' silence on Trump dismays some Democrats. • Haberman says Trump's Russia-Ukraine rhetoric 'seems to be about flexing muscle' • Senate GOP dismayed by Trump, Zelensky war of words. • Steve Witkoff emerges as force in Trump's foreign policy. • Who are the hostages freed by Hamas as part of the ceasefire in Gaza? Stay Engaged Someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up to get your own copy: TheHill.com/Evening. Did I miss a story? Drop me a line. See you next time! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  Sign Up for Other Newsletters 400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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