Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was one of three Republicans to vote Friday against Pete Hegseth, who was narrowly confirmed as defense secretary in the new election. Trump administration.
Other Republican “no” votes came from moderates Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, and Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, forcing Vice President J.D. Vance to break a 50-50 tie to confirm President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon.
“The most important Cabinet official in any administration is the Secretary of Defense,” McConnell wrote, explaining his opposition to Hegseth. “In the face of the most serious threats to America’s national security interests since World War II, this position is even more important today.”
“Major enemies are working closely together to undermine American interests around the world,” he added. “US military capabilities and defense industrial capabilities have become increasingly insufficient to deter or win a major conflict with China or Russia, especially in light of the real danger of simultaneous challenges from other adversaries such as Iran or North Korea.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., takes a question from a reporter during a news conference following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on November 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, faced questions before his confirmation over his infidelity, allegations of sexual assault and heavy drinking, and his past comments opposing women serving in the military. Combat roles in the army And his leadership abilities.
Hegseth has been married three times, and admitted he was a “serial cheater” before becoming a Christian and marrying his current wife, Jenny. He also originally said that he was opposed to women in combat, before later saying that he was only opposed to standards for women in combat being different from those of men. Additionally, Hegseth has denied the sexual assault allegations and said he would abstain from alcohol as defense minister.
“Dust on boots,” McConnell said, referring to Hegseth’s military service, “fails even to distinguish this nominee from many of his predecessors in the past decade. Nor is it a prerequisite for success. Secretaries with distinguished combat experience and time in the trenches have failed to do so.” job.”
“Effectively managing nearly 3 million military personnel and civilians, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with stunning consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests,” the senator said. . “Mr. Hegseth has, so far, failed to demonstrate that he will pass this test. But with him in office, the consequences of failure are as high as they have ever been.”
Moderate Republican Murkowski will not support Trump’s choice of Hegseth for Secretary of Defense

Pete Hegseth testifies during the Senate Armed Forces confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
McConnell stressed that Hegseth, in his testimony before the Armed Services Committee, “did not take into account this reality” that the United States “faces coordinated aggression from adversaries intent on destroying the system that underpins American security and prosperity.”
“President Trump has rightly called on NATO allies to spend more on our collective defense. But the nominee who would be responsible for leading this effort will not even commit to increasing American defense investment beyond the low bar set by the Biden administration’s budget requests,” McConnell said.
The senator also said Hegseth’s testimony lacked “substantive observations about how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against a Chinese attack, or even whether he believes the United States should do so.” McConnell said Hegseth failed to “articulate in any detail a strategic vision for dealing with the most serious emerging long-term threat.” From China.

Pete Hegseth at the conclusion of his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Additionally, McConnell cited a lack of “substantive discussion” about “countering the alignment of our adversaries through deeper alliance relationships and more comprehensive defense industrial cooperation among us.”
“This is of course due to change,” McConnell said. “As the 29th Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth will be immediately tested by the ongoing conflicts stemming from Russian aggression in Europe and Iranian-backed terrorism in the Middle East. He will have to contend with an incomplete FY25 appropriations process that — without his intervention — threatens to wreak havoc.” “More damage to the readiness of our forces.”
“By all accounts, brave young men and women join the military with the understanding that it is based on merit,” he added. “This precious trust only lasts as long as legitimate civilian leadership supports what should be a firewall between military service members and politics. The Biden administration has failed at this essential mission. But restoring the ‘warrior culture’ will not come by trading off one group of culture warriors.” . “to another.”
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2025-01-25 05:40:00