How Sen. Mitch McConnell derailed American democracy – opinion

Opinion columnist Douglas Bloomfield argues that Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is the primary culprit in the erosion of American democracy, citing his role in deregulating campaign finance, blocking judicial nominees, and failing to convict Donald Trump in the second impeachment. The piece quotes critics but includes no response from McConnell.

In this opinion piece, Douglas Bloomfield argues that Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is the single figure most responsible for the erosion of American democracy. The article points to McConnell's role in deregulating campaign finance, which allowed billionaires like Elon Musk to pour vast sums into elections. It cites a New York Times study showing 20 billionaires spent $2 billion in the 2026 midterm cycle, with Musk contributing nearly a quarter. The piece also highlights McConnell's 2016 blockade of Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination and his subsequent confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett weeks before the 2020 election, creating a 6-3 conservative majority. The author further criticizes McConnell's failure to convict Donald Trump in the second impeachment, calling it an 'unpardonable' act that enabled Trump's return. The article quotes several critics, including John Schaaf, Dan Cohen, and Mona Charen, but includes no response from McConnell or his office.