Senate Majority Leader John Thune Riding High, Getting Praise From Fellow Republicans

Minutes before stepping on the Senate floor last Thursday to vote in favor of confirming Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, Senators Mike Lee (R., Utah) and Markwayne Mullin (R., Okla.) joined conservative podcaster and YouTuber Benny Johnson to talk shop on the cabinet confirmation process.

For Mullin, the swift speed of this year’s process largely comes down to one man: newly elected Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.). “A lot of people — that may even be listening to your show — [were] going to say he was Mitch 2.0,” Mullin said in reference to former Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), who announced the same day he will not seek an eighth term in 2026. “Yes!” Benny Johnson interjected. “I think he’s proven himself that he’s not Mitch 2.0,” Mullin said as Senator Lee nodded in agreement.

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Audrey Fahlberg

Audrey Fahlberg was a politics reporter for National Review.

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Minutes before stepping on the Senate floor last Thursday to vote in favor of confirming Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, Senators Mike Lee (R., Utah) and Markwayne Mullin (R., Okla.) joined conservative podcaster and YouTuber Benny Johnson to talk shop on the cabinet confirmation process.

For Mullin, the swift speed of this year’s process largely comes down to one man: newly elected Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.). “A lot of people — that may even be listening to your show — [were] going to say he was Mitch 2.0,” Mullin said in reference to former Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), who announced the same day he will not seek an eighth term in 2026. “Yes!” Benny Johnson interjected. “I think he’s proven himself that he’s not Mitch 2.0,” Mullin said as Senator Lee nodded in agreement.