Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Secretary of Defense in a late night confirmation vote on Friday night.
Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote on Friday after toxic RINO Senators McConnell, Murkowski and Collins voted “no.”
WATCH:
It was already known that GOP Senators Murkowski and Collins were going to vote against Hegseth on Friday evening, so all eyes were on McConnell after Fox News’ Chad Pergram said the Kentucky Senator might defect.
McConnell ended up voting “no” on Friday.
WATCH:
Mitch McConnell votes no on Hegseth pic.twitter.com/q4vOUXHFfO
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 25, 2025
McConnell hobbled over and shook hands with Democrats after he voted “no” on Hegseth.
WATCH:
Mitch McConnell just voted NO on President Trump’s secretary of defense nominee
This led to VP Vance having to rush down to cast a tie-breaking vote, only the 2nd such vote in U.S. history
As Republican Senators gather around to congratulate Vance, notice McConnell walk over… pic.twitter.com/jPGxgJMTRR
— Zach Henry (@zhenryaz) January 25, 2025
McConnell said he voted “no” because Hegseth failed to demonstrate whether he can manage an annual budget of nearly $3 trillion and 3 million military personnel.
Per Fox News reporter Chad Pergram:
McConnell on opposing Hegseth: Mere desire to be a ‘change agent’ is not enough to fill these shoes. And ‘dust on boots’ fails even to distinguish this nominee from multiple predecessors of the last decade. Nor is it a precondition for success. Secretaries with distinguished combat experience and time in the trenches have failed at the job.
Effective management of nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with staggering consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests.
Mr. Hegseth has failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test. But as he assumes office, the consequences of failure are as high as they have ever been.
The United States faces coordinated aggression from adversaries bent on shattering the order underpinning American security and prosperity. In public comments and testimony before the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Hegseth did not reckon with this reality.
President Trump pretty much confirmed McConnell is irrelevant.
WATCH:
Trump just confirmed Mitch McConnell is politically irrelevant.
When told about McConnell’s backstabbing vote on Hegseth, he said: “I didn’t even know that. I just heard that we won. Winning is what matters right?”
Yes. And Mitch McConnell is a LOSER.pic.twitter.com/hLWDhJj7LG
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 25, 2025
