Mitch McConnell Calls Trump’s 2nd Term the ‘Most Dangerous Period’ Since WWII

AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) raised alarm about a potential perfect storm under President Donald Trump that feels similar to the period before World War II.

McConnell, 83, sat down with The Lexington Herald-Leader this week from the McConnell-Chao Archives at the University of Louisville as he’s set to retire from politics in 2026.

The senator discussed his legacy and said he’s now spending his time focused on “defense and foreign policy.” McConnell announced his retirement in February. He was first elected in 1984.

“I think this is the most dangerous period since before World War II. There’s certain similarities right now to the ’30s,” the former Senate leader warned.

McConnell explained he’s concerned about Trump’s tariffs and the similarities to the economic state of the ’30s leading into World War II.

“Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley tariff bill in 1930, widely believed by historians and economists to have taken the depression worldwide. Those who were totally anxious to stay out of all of what was going on in Europe were called ‘America First.’ Sound familiar?” he said.

The senator named North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran as very different countries that should be concerning because they have one thing in common: “They hate us.”

“So what do we have today? North Korea, China, Russia, Iran and Iran’s proxies. They’re very different kinds of countries, but they have one thing in common: They hate us,” he said. “So, when you talk about preparedness, we’re not prepared like we should be.”

He added that the United States needs to avoid a “headline” in Ukraine that could motivate other countries that “hate” us.

“What we need to do is avoid the headline at the end of the war, ‘Russia wins, America loses.’ It has huge worldwide implications, and for those who are concerned about the money, I think it’s important to remember that about half of the money was spent in this country, including in Kentucky,” he said.