WASHINGTON: Donald Trump urged Republican senators Tuesday to dump Mitch McConnell as their leader in the Senate following his withering criticism of the former US president after his impeachment trial.
In his most extensive comments yet on politics since stepping down from power on January 20, Trump also claimed credit for some Republican gains in the November 3 election and threatened to use his influence against party candidates who don’t align with him.

“The Republican Party can never again be respected or strong with political ‘leaders’ like Sen. Mitch McConnell at its helm,” Trump said in a statement.
“Mitch is a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack, and if Republican Senators are going to stay with him, they will not win again.”