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Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was one of three Republicans who voted Friday against Pete Hegsett, who was narrowly confirmed as defense secretary in the new The Trump administration.
Other Republican “no” votes came from moderates Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, prompting Vice President J. D. Vance to break a 50-50 tie to confirm President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Pentagon.
“The most important official in any administration is the secretary of defense,” McConnell wrote in explaining his opposition to Hegsett. “With the most serious threats to US national security interests since World War II, this position is even more important today.”
“The main adversaries are working together to undermine US interests around the world,” he said. “America’s military and defense-industrial capabilities are increasingly insufficient to deter or win a major conflict with China or Russia, especially given the real risk of simultaneous challenges from other adversaries such as Iran or North Korea.”
PETE HAGSETT CONFIRMED TO LEAD PENTAGON AFTER VANCE VOTES VIDEO
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., answers a question from a reporter during a news conference after the Senate Republicans’ weekly policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on November 19, 2024. in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, has faced questions ahead of his confirmation over infidelity, allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, his previous comments against women serving in combat roles in the military and his leadership skills.
Married three times, Hegseth admitted he was a “serial cheater” before becoming a Christian and marrying his current wife, Jenny. He also initially said he opposed women in combat, before later saying he only opposed standards for women in combat that differed from those for men. In addition, Hegseth denied allegations of sexual violence and said that he would abstain from alcohol as defense minister.
McConnell said the “dust on his boots” over Hegsett’s military service “can’t even distinguish this candidate from the many predecessors of the past decade. Nor is it a prerequisite for success. Secretaries with great combat experience and time in the trenches didn’t get the job done.”
“Effectively managing nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world are a daily challenge with staggering consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests,” the senator said. . “Mr Hegseth has not yet been able to demonstrate that he will pass this test. But when he takes office, the consequences of failure are as serious as ever.”
MODERATE REPUBLICAN MURKOWSKI DOES NOT SUPPORT TRUMP’S CHOICE OF HAGSETT FOR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025. in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
McConnell emphasized that in his testimony before the Armed Services Committee, Hegsett “failed to consider the reality” that the United States “faces coordinated aggression from adversaries who want to destroy the order that underlies American security and prosperity.”
“President Trump has rightly called on NATO allies to spend more on our collective defense. But the nominee to lead that effort would not even commit to increasing America’s defense investment beyond the low bar set by the Biden administration’s budget requests,” McConnell said.
The senator also said Hegsett’s testimony lacked “substantial comments on 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 had failed to “articulate in detail a strategic vision for dealing with a serious, long-term emerging threat.” from China.
Pete Hegseth at the conclusion of his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
McConnell further noted the lack of “informed discussion” of “countering the connectivity of our adversaries through deeper alliance relationships and greater domestic defense-industrial cooperation.”
“It’s certainly about change,” McConnell said. “As the 29th Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth will be immediately tested by the ongoing conflicts caused by Russian aggression in Europe and Iranian-backed terrorism in the Middle East. He will have to deal with the pending FY25 appropriations process, which — without his intervention — risks further damaging the readiness of our forces.”
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“By all accounts, brave young men and women join the army with the understanding that it is a meritocracy,” he added. “This precious trust will last only as long as legitimate civilian leadership maintains what should be a firewall between the military and politics. The Biden administration has failed in this fundamental task. But the restoration of a ‘warrior culture’ will not come about by trading one set of culture warriors for another.”
