Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Was one of the three Republicans to vote on Friday against Pete Hegseth, who was narrowly confirmed to the post of defense secretary in the new Trump administration.
The other republican “no” votes came from the moderate Lisa Murkowski, Ré-Alaska, and Susan Collins, Ré-Maine, forcing the vice-president JD Vance to break equality 50-50 to confirm the choice of President Donald Trump Direct the Pentagon.
“The most important ministerial manager of any administration is the defense secretary,” said McConnell, explaining his opposition to Hegseth. “Faced with the most serious threats against the national security interests of the United States since the Second World War, this position is even more important today.”
“The main opponents work more closely together to undermine American interests in the world,” he said. “And the military and industrial capacities of defense of America are increasingly insufficient to dissuade or prevail in a major conflict with China or Russia, especially given the real risk of simultaneous challenges on the part of other opponents like Iran or North Korea. “
Pete Hegseth confirmed in the management of the Pentagon after the VP Vance also voted
Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Answers a question of a journalist at a press conference following the weekly republican political lunch of the Senate in the United States Capitol on November 19, 2024, in Washington, DC . (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Hegseth, a former Fox News animator, had been questioned before his confirmation about his infidelity, his allegations of sexual assault and excessive alcohol consumption, his previous comments opposing women serving in Army combat roles and its leadership capacities.
Married three times, Hegseth admitted that he was a “serial cheater” before becoming a Christian and marrying his current wife, Jenny. He also initially declared that he opposed women in combat, before declaring later that he only opposed standards for combat women who are different from those of men. Hegseth also denied allegations of sexual assault and said that he would refrain from consuming alcohol as a defense secretary.
McConnell said that “the dust on boots” in reference to the HegSeth military service “does not even manage to distinguish this candidate from the multiple predecessors of the last decade. Nor is it a prerequisite for success. job.”
“The effective management of nearly 3 million soldiers and civilians, of an annual budget of almost $ 1,000 billion and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with amazing consequences for the security of the American people And our global interests, “said the senator. . “Mr. Hegseth has not yet managed to demonstrate that he will succeed in this test. But while he takes office, the consequences of a failure are more serious than they have never been.”
Murkowski, moderate republic, will not support Trump Hegseth’s choice for the defense secretary
Pete Hegseth testifies during his confirmation hearing of the Senate Armed Forces in Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
McConnell stressed that Hegseth, in his testimony before the Armed Services Committee, “did not take into account this reality” according to which the United States “faces a coordinated aggression on the part of adversaries determined to break the ‘Order underlying American security and prosperity ”.
“President Trump rightly called on NATO allies to spend more on collective defense. But the candidate who would have been responsible for directing this effort would not even undertake to increase American investments in the defense at- Beyond the low bar set by budgetary requests from the Biden administration. “said McConnell.
The senator also said that HegSeth’s testimony was missing “substantial observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against a Chinese attack, or even if he thought that the United States should do so.” McConnell said Hegseth had not “managed to articulate a strategic vision in detail to face the most serious long -term threat that emanates” China.
Pete Hegseth at the end of his confirmation hearing before the senatorial commission of armed services, at the Capitole in Washington, on Tuesday January 14, 2025. (Photo AP/Ben Curtis)
McConnell also noted a lack of “substantive discussion” on “the fight against the alignment of our opponents on deeper alliance relations and a more extensive industrial cooperation of defense”.
“Of course, it must change,” said McConnell. “As 29th Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth will immediately be put to the test by the current conflicts caused by the Russian aggression in Europe and the terrorism supported by Iran in the Middle East. He will face an unfinished appropriation process for exercise 25 which – without his intervention – may harm more in the preparation of our forces. »»
“Obviously, courageous young men and women join the army knowing that it is a meritocracy,” he added. “This precious confidence will only last as long as legal civilian leaders maintain what must be a firewall between soldiers and politics. The Biden administration failed in this fundamental task. But the restoration of “warlike culture” will not come from the exchange of a set of warlike cultures. for another. “
