McConnell tests the strengths and limits of his power opposing a trio of Trump's Cabinet nominees

President Donald Trump speaks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, as he arrives at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 13, 2018, to travel to Richmond, Ky., for a rally. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

No longer in charge, Sen. Mitch McConnell has been speaking his mind, the long-serving GOP leader rejecting President Donald Trump’s more high-profile Cabinet nominees — alone at times, among the Republicans, casting his no votes.

When it came to Pete Hegseth, now the defense secretary, who faced allegations of excessive drinking and aggressive behavior toward women, McConnell said the combat veteran had “failed, as yet, to demonstrate” he was ready for the job.

The “desire to be a change agent is not enough,” McConnell said.