At a time when Americans are tightening their belts, we would do well to avoid policies that heap on the pain," said the Republican former Senate leader.

President Trump added fuel to the fire in his feud with former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, claiming the longtime Kentucky senator lacked the mental sharpness to shepherd GOP members in the upper chamber.

Mitch McConnell is pushing back against President Trump’s most controversial nominees, becoming an unlikely — and sometimes lonely — face of Republican resistance.