As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House next month, what sort of foreign policy can Americans expect during his second stint in the Oval Office?

Trump will pursue an "America first foreign policy," J. Michael Waller, senior analyst for strategy at the Center for Security Policy, suggested during an interview with Fox News Digital, describing Biden's approach as "America last."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is advocating for the soon-to-be commander in chief to significantly increase military spending in a bid to build up the nation's "hard power."

The long-serving lawmaker is also warning against an isolationist approach to foreign policy, asserting in a piece on Foreign Affairs that "the response to four years of weakness must not be four years of isolation."

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"Trump would be wise to build his foreign policy on the enduring cornerstone of U.S. leadership: hard power. To reverse the neglect of military strength, his administration must commit to a significant and sustained increase in defense spending, generational investments in the defense industrial base, and urgent reforms to speed the United States’ development of new capabilities and to expand allies’ and partners’ access to them," McConnell contended.

"To pretend that the United States can focus on just one threat at a time, that its credibility is divisible, or that it can afford to shrug off faraway chaos as irrelevant is to ignore its global interests and its adversaries’ global designs," he argued.

Waller, who authored the book "Big Intel," explained that America-first foreign policy does not mean isolationism. 

"It means for the United States to define its national interests very strictly," without suggesting that every crisis around the globe is "of vital, existential interest to our country," he noted.

Waller opined that in Foreign Affairs McConnell was seeking to "maintain the uniparty consensus for the United States' present global commitments that are stretching us beyond our means … without even stepping back to reassess what is really in our national interests and how can we best marshal our resources to ensure them."

Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to request comment from McConnell, but did not receive a response.

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Trump has tapped Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for secretary of state, a choice Waller graded as a "really good pick." 

Regarding the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, Rubio has said that the U.S. is funding a "stalemate war."

Trump has called for a ceasefire.

"There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse," he declared in a post on Truth Social.

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Trump has also called for the release of hostages in the Middle East, warning in a post on Truth Social that if they are not released by when he assumes office, "there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America," he declared.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gave a stern warning to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after a report highlighted how one of Kennedy's associates had sought to rescind approval for a polio vaccine.

McConnell, a polio survivor, said in a statement that "efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed – they’re dangerous." 

"Anyone seeking the Senate’s consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts," he added, without naming Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic who is President-elect Trump's choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. 

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McConnell's statement follows a New York Times report on Friday that highlighted how Kennedy's personal attorney, Aaron Siri, had represented clients in cases that sought to rescind approval for a version of the polio vaccine and others. 

"Like millions of families before them, my parents knew the pain and fear of watching their child struggle with the life-altering diagnosis of polio. From the age of two, normal life without paralysis was only possible for me because of the miraculous combination of modern medicine and a mother’s love. But for millions who came after me, the real miracle was the saving power of the polio vaccine," McConnell said.

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"For decades, I have been proud to work with devoted advocates – from Rotary International to the Gates Foundation – and use my platform in public life to champion the pursuit of cures for further generations. I have never flinched from confronting specious disinformation that threatens the advance of lifesaving medical progress, and I will not today. 

The GOP leader was joined by his Democratic counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who demanded that RFK Jr. make his position on the polio vaccine clear.

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"This would undoubtedly make America sick again," Schumer said, sharing the Times report on X. "It’s outrageous and dangerous for people in the Trump Transition to try and get rid of the polio vaccine that has virtually eradicated polio in America and saved millions of lives. RFK Jr. must state his position on this." 

Reached for comment, a Trump transition team spokesperson said, "Mr. Kennedy believes the Polio Vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly and properly studied." 

The top outside group and financial boon for Senate Republicans, the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), is being equipped with allies of Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., as he prepares to take on the top GOP role in 2025. 

The SLF was built by those aligned with outgoing Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and quickly became a huge resource for the Senate GOP and its candidates in key races across the country. 

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Former Colorado Sen. Cory Garder will become chair of SLF's board, a source familiar confirmed to Fox News Digital, and is expected to be involved in finding a replacement for SLF President and CEO Steven Law, who announced after the Senate leader race that he would be stepping down, following McConnell. 

Leaders of Thune's outside political operation, Johnny DeStefano and Paula Dukes, are also expected to be involved in the search. 

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"Cory understands the complexity of midterm elections and modern campaigns, and he knows firsthand the importance of working hand in glove with President Trump and his team to defeat Democrats," DeStefano said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. 

This will be the first time since the group's creation during McConnell's time as leader that it will see new leadership and potentially operate differently, with a new Republican in charge in the Senate. 

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McConnell and his allies were credited with building a huge donor network and fostering significant resources for Senate Republicans over the years. While Thune has managed to build up impressive fundraising this cycle, it's not yet clear whether he will be able to sustain it while serving as leader. 

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The groups aligned with McConnell, SLF and sister group One Nation, have raised $2.3 billion in the past decade. The groups pulled in $400 million during the 2022 Senate cycle and $420 million in the recent 2024 cycle. 

It will be up to Thune's political operation to sustain this cash flow or learn to navigate GOP races with less resources if reaching McConnell-level fundraising proves too difficult. 

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., fell during a GOP lunch on Tuesday.

Fox News reported seeing a wheelchair wheeled into the senator’s office just before 1 p.m., and a little while later, a Washington, D.C. fire and rescue team emerged from his office.

McConnell was not in attendance at the Senate GOP weekly presser on Tuesday.

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When asked about McConnell’s fall during the presser, Sen. John Thune said McConnell was fine.

"He’s in his office," Thune said. "And any other questions about Sen. McConnell, I'll refer to staff."

A spokesperson for McConnell told Fox News Digital, "Leader McConnell tripped following lunch. He sustained a minor cut to the face and sprained his wrist. He has been cleared to resume his schedule."

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This is not the first time the Republican leader has fallen.

McConnell had a concussion after a fall last year.

He also had two public episodes when he appeared to freeze while addressing reporters.

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During one of those instances, McConnell was answering questions from reporters in Covington, Kentucky, in August 2023, when he froze for more than 30 seconds.

He had previously frozen for about 30 seconds during a news conference alongside other Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., a month prior. At the time, an aide told Fox News Digital he "felt light-headed and stepped away for a moment."

As the longest serving Senate party leader in history, McConnell faced growing calls from his party to retire last year, and earlier this year, he announced he would step down from his leadership role.

Fox News Digital's Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.

The Senate GOP leader on Monday slammed decisions by two federal judges to reverse their announced retirements after Republican former President Trump won re-election in November.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., criticized the pair of "partisan Democrat district judges" after they announced plans to "unretire" after "the American people voted to fire Democrats last month." 

"Looking to history, only two judges have ever unretired after a presidential election. One Democrat in 2004 and one Republican in 2009. But now, in just a matter of weeks, Democrats have already met that all-time record. It's hard to conclude that this is anything other than open partisanship," McConnell said in remarks delivered on the Senate floor.

In mid-November, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley of Ohio informed President Biden of his intention to stay on the bench after Biden had failed to nominate a replacement for him.

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Marbley, who was appointed by President Clinton, said that because a successor had not been confirmed, "I have therefore decided to remain on active status and carry out the full duties and obligations of the office." 

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn of North Carolina, who was appointed by President Obama, has also withdrawn plans to retire, Reuters reported.

Both Marbley and Cogburn had announced plans to take senior status before the election, which would have allowed them to take reduced caseloads until the president appoints a successor. 

McConnell said their decisions to rescind their retirements after Trump won points to "a political finger on the scale." He urged the incoming Trump administration to "explore all available recusal options with these judges." 

FEDERAL JUDGE IN OHIO RESCINDS RETIREMENT AFTER TRUMP VICTORY, WITH BIDEN YET TO NOMINATE A SUCCESSOR

He also warned two sitting circuit court judges, who have announced retirements and have vacancies currently pending before the senate, against making similar decisions to "unretire." 

"Never before has a circuit judge unretired after a presidential election. It's literally unprecedented. And to create such a precedent would fly in the face of a rare bipartisan compromise on the disposition of these vacancies," McConnell said.

He was referring to a bipartisan agreement on judicial nominations last month that secured Trump's ability to appoint four crucial appellate court judges after he assumes office in January.

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Republicans agreed to halt procedural delay tactics and permit Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to vote on cloture on nine of Biden's district court judges before Thanksgiving and vote to confirm them when they return after the holiday. In exchange, Democrats would pull four circuit court nominees who lack the votes to get confirmed, allowing Trump to fill those vacancies next year. 

However, a Democratic source familiar told Fox News Digital that only two of the circuit court vacancies are certain, and the other two may ultimately decide against taking senior judge status.

McConnell threatened that "significant ethics complaints" would follow swiftly if any retiring judge reversed their decision to take senior status because Trump won.

"As I repeatedly warned the judiciary in other matters, if you play political games, expect political prizes. So let's hope these judges do the right thing and enjoy their well-earned retirement and leave the politics to the political branches." 

Fox News Digital's Julia Johnson and Kelly Phares contributed to this report.

Outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced that he will chair the Senate Rules Committee as well as the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense during the 119th Congress.

"America's national security interests face the gravest array of threats since the Second World War. At this critical moment, a new Senate Republican majority has a responsibility to secure the future of U.S. leadership and primacy," McConnell said in a statement. 

"I intend to play an active role in this urgent mission as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and I look forward to working closely with incoming Chair Susan Collins to accomplish our shared goal," he noted.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is currently the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. 

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"The Senate Rules Committee will also have important work to accomplish in the 119th Congress, and I look forward to leading it as Chairman," McConnell said in the statement.

"Defending the Senate as an institution and protecting the right to political speech in our elections remain among my longest-standing priorities. Ranking Member Deb Fischer has done an outstanding job advancing these causes, and I know she will remain a key partner in the committee’s ongoing work," he noted.

McConnell, 82, has served in the U.S. Senate since 1985, which means he will soon reach his 40-year-anniversary in the chamber. His current term ends in early 2027.

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While he has helmed the Senate GOP since 2007, McConnell announced earlier this year that his current term as Senate Republican leader would be his last in the position.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. has been tapped to succeed McConnell in the role next year. 

Republicans won the Senate majority during the 2024 elections — Thune will be Senate majority leader.

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"John Thune’s election is a clear endorsement of a consummate leader. The confidence our colleagues have placed in John’s legislative experience and political skill is well deserved," McConnell said in a statement.

"The American people elected Republicans to restore stability and order after four years of Washington Democrats' failure. John Thune will take the reins with a tremendous opportunity to lead this transformation, and Senate Republicans stand behind him, ready to get to work," he added.

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., summarized several points of "widespread consensus" within the Republican Senate conference to transform how the Senate GOP functions in the post-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., era. 

"I believe that now is the time for dramatic change in the Senate and in Washington," Scott wrote in a "Dear Colleague" letter to his fellow Republican senators on Tuesday. 

Scott ran to succeed McConnell as leader, competing against Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Scott was knocked out of the secret ballot election after the first vote, during which he received the support of 13 of his colleagues.

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Thune ultimately defeated Cornyn on the second ballot, 29-24.

Scott reiterated to GOP senators that "President Trump won with a mandate, and it is now incumbent on us as Republican senators to respond to the clear wishes of the American people and implement his agenda and confirm his nominees."

He then listed several items that he said had significant support within the conference going into the new Congress. 

First, Scott urged transparency among the Republican conference. "[S]top the surprises and create a plan to achieve our legislative goals that we can work on and schedule around," he said. 

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The Florida Republican also noted that there was "broad agreement" on the necessity of returning the Senate to "regular order," during which legislation goes through the committee process rather than being brought immediately to the floor.

"The desire to empower Committee Chairs and have the work of our committees reflect the desire of the Conference."

He also stressed the importance of and the popularity within the conference of "ending the cycle of omnibus spending deals and Continuing Resolutions and getting back to passing appropriations bills on time and through regular order."

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The letter comes as Congress appears poised to pass another stopgap spending bill ahead of Christmas if individual appropriations bills are not approved. 

Scott additionally said the conference has expressed significant interest in improving "coordination with the House." This will likely be made easier for Republicans in 2025, given that they will control both chambers. 

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Lastly, the Florida senator said Republicans largely want "to make sure that the [National Republican Senatorial Committee] NRSC and others focus on helping incumbents win their races and fight aggressively to support them throughout the cycle." 

Notably, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., nearly lost her traditionally safe Republican Senate seat to a dark horse independent candidate that targeted her as a career politician. 

"I look forward to working with each of you to accomplish our goals," Scott concluded in the letter to colleagues.