Late. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is no longer a member of the GOP leadership in the U.S. Senate — for the first time since 2003. Punchbowl News asked Friday if this means McConnell is “finally a free agent?” and speculated on whether the Kentucky senator would try to trash some of the president-elect Donald Trump’s more shocking cabinet choices.

Late. John Cornyn (R-TX), who is also out of the Senate leadership after losing the race to replace McConnell, told Punchbowl, “He and I both agree that we have been liberated.”

“But I know how strongly (McConnell) feels about foreign policy and national security issues. I agree with him on that,” Cornyn said when asked about McConnell’s pledge to continue vocally opposing Trump’s more isolationist rhetoric on foreign policy. Punchbowl’s Andrew Desiderio and Max Cohen reported:

There is a belief that if McConnell opposes (Tulsi) Gabbards nomination, it could provide cover for other Senate Republicans who align with his foreign policy views. By a 53-47 margin, Trump can only afford to lose three Republican votes, assuming full attendance.

Late. Susan Collins (R-ME), a close ally of McConnell who has already come out against Matt Gaetz for the AG, told Punchbowl, “I’m sure he won’t try to second-guess the new leader or undermine Senator Thune in any way. But it’s only natural that he has well-developed ideas and strategies on a variety of issues and that members want hear it.”

But the report noted that may not be the end of the story. “The flip side of this is that McConnell could actually help Thune. By taking arrows to tank a nomination or other action, McConnell would take the pressure off Thune and the rest of the GOP leadership and insulate them from Trump’s wrath,” Punchbowl explained.

Late. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) also weighed in, saying, “I don’t know that (McConnell) wants to play that role. But if he does, he can do it better than anybody. He knows both our process and he knows the politics of it very, very well. Just because of his influence, which is earned by experience, not by title, he will always have a bit of a role.”

McConnell endorsed Trump’s 2024 presidential bid after he secured the GOP nomination despite Trump publicly attacking McConnell for years, including launching a racist attack against his wife Elaine Chao — who served in Trump’s first cabinet. At a recent rally, Trump even went so far as to do so fry McConnell as he eventually kissed the ring and rejoiced, “Can you believe he approved me? Boy, that must have been a painful day of his life.”

McConnell was quoted in a new book as saying the election damaged Trump’s character, calling him “a sleazeball narcissist” and “not very smart.” McConnell also said Trump’s actions surrounding Jan. 6 were an “impeachable crime.” add“I think his inciting rebellion and people attacking the Capitol as a direct result is about as close to an illegal crime as you can imagine, with the possible exception of maybe being an agent of another country.”

Do you have a tip for us? [email protected]