President Trump is going through an adjustment period that all presidents who run against Washington go through when they get into office and he’ll settle in to the job, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday.
In an interview with MSNBC, McConnell said Trump needs to reach an understanding with the political class in Washington because he’s not the only smart person in town.
.@SenateMajLdr on Trump: He's different but I like what he's doing https://t.co/CFWH0cmb0i— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) February 15, 2017
“When you run against Washington, you’ve got to reach an understanding that there are a lot of other people here who are good at politics too or they wouldn’t have gotten elected in the first place,” McConnell said.
McConnell pointed out that the 2016 election might have been a change election in the presidential race, but voters mostly returned their congressmen and senators to office.
But the people wanted a different type of president and they got it, he said.
“The American public was not saying we want to change the Congress,” he said. “They did want a different kind of president, and there’s no question that Donald Trump is a different kind of president.”
He added, “He’s different, but I like what he’s doing. I like the tack on over-regulation, I like the Cabinet appointments, I think the Supreme Court nominee is superb.”
.@SenateMajLdr on Gorsuch’s concerns over Trump’s attacks on the judiciary: I happen to agree with what Gorsuch said https://t.co/taMbvEQJxq
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) February 15, 2017
McConnell said Judge Neil Gorsuch, Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court, would be confirmed one way or another but it depends on Senate Democrats on what tactics would need to be used.
He said it’s possible 60 votes will be needed to end debate on Gorsuch’s appointment, but he’s positive Senate Republicans will find eight Democrats to vote with the Republicans.
“Gorsuch is going to be confirmed,” he said. “He’s an outstanding choice.”
McConnell praised Gorsuch for his criticism of Trump’s personal attacks on judges who gave opinions he didn’t like. He said Gorsuch didn’t repeat those comments in their personal meeting, but he agreed with the judge.
“I happen to agree with what he said,” McConnell said. “I think criticizing members of the judiciary individually is not a good idea. We all get opinions we don’t like.”
