Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell faced the wrath of critics who shredded him online after he voted against confirming former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer Pete Hegseth to become secretary of defense under President Donald Trump. Earlier this week, McConnell voted in favor of invoking cloture and sending Hegseth’s nomination for formal consideration by the full chamber, so his decision to vote ‘no’ when it counted angered many.
Hegseth was confirmed after Vice President JD Vance was needed to cast a tie-breaking vote after McConnell, along with GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, voted with all 47 Democrats to reject him, leaving the tally at 50-50. For his part, Hegseth took to social media and thanked Trump, Vance, and those who supported him. “Thank you for your confidence Mr. President. Thank you for the tie-breaker Mr. Vice President. Thank you Senators for 50 votes. This is for the troops. For the warriors. For our country. America First. Every day. We will never back down,” he wrote on X.
But the responses to McConnell were far less gracious.
This is Mitch McConnell.
45 years in elected office.
Voted against Pete Hegseth.
Ukraine is the number one priority. Not gas prices, inflation, spikes in violent crime, or even the 20,000 illegals crossing the Border each day.
— Eric Matheny ?? (@ericmmatheny) January 25, 2025
NEW: Mitch McConnell seen waddling over to go shake hands with the Democrats after voting ‘NO’ for Pete Hegseth’s confirmation.
The move forced JD Vance to cast the final tie breaking vote.
The next four years will be a fight.pic.twitter.com/phfV6Did9C
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 25, 2025
Meanwhile, Trump said he wasn’t aware that McConnell was a ‘no’ when a reporter asked about it Friday evening before boarding Air Force One after touring wildfire damage in Los Angeles. “I didn’t even know that. I just heard that we won. Winning is what matters right?” he said. He also congratulated Hegseth and said he’ll be a “great” SECDEF.
