The latter. Protecting the swamp is more important to McConnell than protecting the citizens of the United States of America. For some reason McConnell sees his legacy as changing the judiciary and for that I’m grateful.
McConnell’s strategy of getting so many judges approved, while beneficial to the nation, is part of the continuing effort by Congress to shift responsibility for most things from themselves to the courts. In other words, when things go wrong they can blame it on the judiciary. Congress is too much about lining their own pockets and not nearly enough about serving their constituents or the nation.