McConnell voted against Hegseth as Pentagon chief, forcing Vance to issue a tiebreaker.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was one of three Republicans to vote Friday against Pete Hegseth, who has been narrowly confirmed as defense secretary in the new Trump administration.

Other Republican “no” votes came from moderates Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, forcing Vice President JD Vance to break a 50-50 tie to confirm President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Pentagon.

“The most important cabinet officer in any Administration is the Secretary of Defense,” McConnell wrote, explaining his opposition to Hegseth. “Despite the worst threats to America’s national security since World War II, this position is even more important today.”

“Great enemies are working closely together to destroy America’s interests around the world,” he said. “And America’s military power and defense industrial power are not enough to prevent or overcome major conflicts with China or Russia, especially given the real danger of simultaneous challenges from other adversaries such as Iran or North Korea.”

PETE HEGSETH CONFIRMED TO LEAD THE PENTAGON AFTER VP VANCE CONCLUDES A CONFIDENTIAL VOTE

Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, has faced questions before his confirmation about his infidelity, allegations of sexual abuse and heavy drinking, his previous comments against women participating in the war and his leadership skills.

Married three times, Hegseth admitted he was a “fraud” before he became a Christian and married his current wife, Jenny. He also said he was against women in the military, before later saying he was against women’s standards in combat being different from men’s. Hegseth also denied allegations of sexual harassment and said he would give up alcohol as defense secretary.

McConnell said the “dust in the boots” referring to Hegseth’s military service “fails to even distinguish this nominee from his predecessors of the past decade. And it is not a criterion for success. Secretaries with special experience in combat and time in the trenches have failed the job.”

“The effective management of nearly 3 million troops, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test that has dramatic consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests,” the senator said. . “Mr. Hegseth has failed, so far, to demonstrate that he will pass this test. But as he takes office, the consequences of failure are greater than they have ever been.”

MODERATE REPUBLICAN MURKOWSKI WILL NOT BACK TRUMP PICK HEGSETH SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

Pete Hegseth testifies during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 14, 2025, Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

McConnell insisted that Hegseth, in his testimony before the Armed Services Committee, “did not even consider the fact” that the US “is facing concerted aggression from adversaries determined to destroy the order that supports America’s security and prosperity.”

“President Trump has asked NATO partners to spend more money on our collective defense. But the nominee who would be responsible for leading that effort would not even commit to increasing America’s defense investment beyond the minimum amount set in the Biden Administration’s budget requests. ,” said McConnell.

The congressman also said that Hegseth’s testimony “doesn’t have much insight into how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines from a Chinese attack, even if he believes the United States should do so.” McConnell said Hegseth had failed to “articulate in any detail a strategic vision for dealing with a major 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, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

McConnell also noted the lack of “substantial dialogue” to “fight and align our adversaries with our deep alliance relationships and our broad defense industry cooperation.”

“This, of course, is for change,” McConnell said. “As the 29th Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth will be quickly tested by the ongoing conflicts caused by Russian aggression in Europe and Iranian-backed terrorists in the Middle East. He will have to deal with the unfinished FY25 appropriations process — without his intervention — that risks undermining the readiness of our forces.”

CLICK FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM

“Through it all, brave young men and women join the military with the understanding that it is an honor,” he added. “This precious trust only lasts as long as legitimate citizen leadership supports what should be a firewall between labor and politics. The Biden Administration has failed in this important task. But the restoration of ‘hero culture’ will not come from trading one set of cultural heroes for another.”