Quote:McConnell also made clear he tried to dissuade Trump from declaring the emergency, arguing that future Democratic presidents could use it to further liberal policy proposals: “That’s one reason I argued without success that he not take this route.”

“I was one of those hoping the president would not take the national emergency route,” McConnell said. “Once he decided to do that I said I would support it, but I was hoping he wouldn’t take that particular path.”