Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as the new secretary of defense, but it was not without some drama from a handful of Republicans.
Chief among them was former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who voted ‘yes’ to get Hegseth out of committee and to a full Senate vote but who then voted ‘no’ on his confirmation
Republicans on X were furious with the 82-year-old senator, and they let him know about it, as some even shared photos of McConnell walking over to the Democrat side of the aisle after casting his vote.
“WTF? Mitch McConnell immediately walked over and CELEBRATED with the Democrats after voting against Hegseth This man HAS TO GO in 2026. The people of Kentucky voted for Trump’s mandate—not this anti-Trump BS,” conservative commentator Nick Sortor said with a video showing the interaction.
“After voting against Pete Hegseth, Mitch McConnell went to the left side of the aisle to hang out with Democrats,” Tim Young said in the caption of a photo.