Senator Mitch McConnell, the long-serving Republican from Kentucky, has never shied away from drawing parallels between history and the present. But in a recent series of interviews, McConnell delivered perhaps his starkest warning yet, telling the Lexington Herald-Leader that the United States is now facing "the most dangerous period since before World War II." At 83, and with more than four decades in the Senate, McConnell is preparing to leave public service at the end of his term in 2026. Yet, as he enters his final stretch, he’s using his remaining time to focus on what he calls the most consequential issues: defense and foreign policy.
McConnell’s concerns aren’t rooted in nostalgia or vague anxieties—they’re grounded in concrete comparisons to the 1930s, a decade that saw the rise of isolationism, protectionist trade policies, and ultimately, global conflict. "There’s certain similarities right now to the ‘30s," McConnell remarked in his interview, referencing the infamous Smoot-Hawley tariff bill of 1930. According to The Hill, McConnell noted, "[Former President] Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley tariff bill in 1930, widely believed by historians and economists to have taken the depression worldwide."
The senator’s historical analogy doesn’t stop at economic policy. He sees echoes of the pre-war isolationist movement in today’s "America First" rhetoric, a phrase that once described those determined to keep the U.S. out of European conflicts. "Those who were totally anxious to stay out of all of what was going on in Europe were called ‘America First.’ Sound familiar?" McConnell asked, as quoted by The Hill. For McConnell, the stakes are clear: "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."
His warning comes at a time of visible unity among America’s adversaries. On September 4, 2025—the very day McConnell’s interview was published—Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared together in public for the first time, attending a military parade in Beijing. According to The Hill, McConnell expressed concern that the U.S. is not sufficiently prepared for what appears to be a growing alliance among these antagonistic nations. He bluntly stated, "We’re not prepared like we should be."
This chorus of caution isn’t McConnell’s alone. Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio echoed similar sentiments to the Financial Times, saying, "I think that what is happening now politically and socially is analogous to what happened around the world in the 1930-40 period." Dalio’s comments followed the White House’s acquisition of a stake in chipmaker Intel, a move seen by some as a response to intensifying global competition and security concerns.
McConnell’s critique of current U.S. policy extends to the economic front as well. He drew a direct line between the protectionist tariffs of the 1930s and those imposed by former President Donald Trump. Trump’s tariffs, intended to strike better deals for America and offset trade imbalances, have targeted many U.S. allies and major trading partners. The Trump administration has touted the revenue generated by these tariffs, which are paid by American consumers of foreign goods. However, as The Hill and Newsweek report, Trump’s sweeping global tariffs have also sparked concerns about higher prices, increased unemployment, and the specter of a possible recession. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged the turbulence but emphasized in August 2025, "The labor market remains near maximum employment, and inflation, though still somewhat elevated, has come down a great deal from its post-pandemic highs."
Foreign policy, however, remains McConnell’s chief worry. He has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine during Russia’s ongoing invasion, pushing for continued U.S. military aid even as members of his own party voiced opposition. "What we need to do is avoid the headline at the end of the war, ‘Russia wins, America loses.’ It has huge worldwide implications," McConnell told the Lexington Herald-Leader. He underscored the global consequences of a Russian victory, warning that it would embolden other authoritarian regimes and undermine the credibility of U.S. commitments abroad.
McConnell has also sought to address concerns about the cost of American support for Ukraine. "I think it’s important to remember that about half of the money was spent in this country, including in Kentucky, [with] 38 states modernizing our own industrial bases. We’ve sent older weapons to Ukraine," he explained. According to The New York Times, under the Biden administration, Ukraine has received approximately $67 billion in military aid. In July 2025, European allies agreed to purchase American-made weaponry for Ukraine, and the U.S. State Department announced plans to send $85 million worth of extended-range cruise missiles and related equipment, pending Congressional approval.
President Trump, for his part, has called for peace in the region but has suggested that both Ukraine and Russia would need to make territorial concessions to end the conflict. Trump has also criticized the scale of U.S. aid to Ukraine, a position that has resonated with some in the Republican base. Yet, McConnell remains adamant that American leadership is crucial. "Well, I think certainly one of the most important issues I’ve been involved in over all these years," he told NBC News in April 2024, referring to his advocacy for Ukraine.
McConnell’s perspective is shaped by a lifetime of public service and personal experience. Born in the midst of World War II, he served in the Army Reserve during the Vietnam War and has witnessed America’s involvement in multiple conflicts. Now, as he prepares to retire, he’s determined to use his remaining influence to steer the country away from what he sees as the perilous mistakes of the past. "With regard to Ukraine, what we need to do is avoid the headline at the end of the war, ‘Russia wins, America loses.’ It has huge worldwide implications," he reiterated, emphasizing the broader stakes for global democracy and security.
As McConnell’s long Senate career draws to a close, his warnings serve as both a call to action and a reminder of history’s lessons. Whether Washington will heed his advice—or repeat the errors of a century ago—remains to be seen. But the senator’s message is unmistakable: vigilance, preparedness, and engagement on the world stage are more vital now than ever before.
