Sen. Paul says McConnell made ‘secret deal’ over judge

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-Senator Rand Paul addressed the recent tension between him and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. 

Paul said that McConnell did not communicate with him on a federal judicial nomination. 

Paul says McConnell cut a secret deal with President Biden to nominate conservative Chad Meredith for a federal judgeship in Kentucky. 

Without Paul’s backing, the White House withdrew Meredith’s nomination, pointing out the disagreement between the senators. 

“The nomination tanked because he wanted to keep a secret deal that he had with Biden but he couldn’t pick up the phone to call me. He somehow thinks it’s only his decision to make and he doesn’t have to consult me and that’s a problem,” said Paul. 

Paul said that he would have backed Meredith, had there been communication with McConnell. McConnell was not available for an interview today, but has said that he was ‘very surprised that Paul expressed opposition to a Meredith nomination.’