McConnell chose Hegt as head of the Pentagon, forcing Vance to make a point difference.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was one of three Republicans who voted against Pete Hegseth, who was narrowly confirmed as the new Trump administration’s defense secretary, on Friday.

The other Republican “no” votes came from Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, forcing Vice President Donald Trump to drop a 50-50 race to confirm his pick to lead the Pentagon.

“The most important cabinet official in any administration is the secretary of defense,” McConnell wrote in explaining his opposition to Hegsett. “With the greatest threat to U.S. national security interests since World War II, this position is even more important today.”

“The main adversaries are working together to undermine America’s influence around the world,” he said. “And U.S. military capabilities and defense industry capabilities are insufficient to deter or defeat a major conflict with China or Russia, especially if concurrent challenges from other adversaries such as Iran or North Korea are likely to emerge.”

Pete Hegsett was confirmed to lead the Pentagon after Vance cast a tie vote

Hughes, a former Fox News host, has faced questions before his conviction about infidelity, sexual assault and heavy drinking, his previous comments on women in the military and his leadership skills.

Married three times, Hughes admitted to being a “serial cheater” before becoming a Christian and marrying his current wife, Jenny. He also stated that he initially opposed women in combat, later stating that he only objected to women’s combat standards being different from men’s. Hughes has denied the allegations of sexual assault and has said he abstains from alcohol as defense secretary.

McConnell referred to Hughes’ military service as “dust on his shoes” and said, “This candidate cannot even be distinguished from many of his predecessors from the past decade. It is not a prerequisite for success. Writers with special combat experience and time in the trenches have failed. Work.”

“Effectively managing nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily challenge with dramatic 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 can pass this test. But the consequences of failure are as great as they were when he took office.”

Moderate Republican Murkowski Won’t Back Down Trump Picks Hegsett for Defense Secretary

In his testimony before the Armed Services Committee, McConnell Hughes emphasized that the United States did not recognize the fact that it “could face a coordinated attack from adversaries bent on undermining the order that underpins America’s security and prosperity.”

“President Trump has rightly called for NATO partners to spend more on our collective defense. But the candidate responsible for leading the effort will not commit to increasing U.S. defense investment beyond the minimum level set by the Biden administration’s budget requests,” McConnell said.

The senator also said that Heggsett’s testimony “lacks concrete observations about how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against Chinese aggression, or whether he believes the United States should do so.” McConnell said Hughes failed to articulate a strategic vision to deal with the long-term threat emanating from China.

McConnell also pointed to a lack of “useful discussion” about “fighting our adversaries with our deep alliances and our own broad defense industrial cooperation.”

“It’s really about change,” McConnell said. “As the 29th Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth will be immediately challenged by the Russian invasion of Europe and the conflicts in the Middle East caused by Iran-sponsored terrorism. Without his intervention, he will have to contend with the unfinished FY25 implementation process – which could further undermine the readiness of our forces.”

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“In every sense, brave young men and women join the military with the understanding that it is a meritocracy.” “This cherished belief will last only as long as legitimate civilian leadership respects the firewall between servicemen and politics. The Biden administration has failed in this fundamental task. But restoring the ‘warrior culture’ will not come from trading one culture warrior for another.”