Trump Responds to McConnell’s Opposition to Hegseth’s Confirmation as Defense Secretary: ‘Winning Is What Matters’
ld that Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) voted against Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as Secretary of Defense. “I didn’t even know that,” Trump remarked, adding, “No, I don’t know that. I just heard that we won. Winning is what matters, right?”
Trump’s focus was on the outcome: Hegseth was confirmed in a 51-50 Senate vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. Republican Senators Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and McConnell joined Democrats in opposing the nomination.
Hegseth, a former Army officer and conservative commentator, faced a series of controversies and smear campaigns during his confirmation process. Among the claims was a baseless accusation that his tattoos were linked to white supremacy; in reality, the tattoos reflect his Christian faith.
Additional allegations included a resurfaced 2017 police report from a woman claiming Hegseth had raped her. However, the investigation found no evidence to support her claim, and surveillance footage directly contradicted her account.
Another attempt to derail Hegseth’s nomination involved accusations from former co-workers at Concerned Veterans for America. The claims included allegations of excessive drinking at holiday parties and after-work events, which were unsupported by substantial evidence.
The New York Times also published a personal email from Hegseth’s mother, in which she accused him of mistreating women. She later apologized for her comments.
The final push against Hegseth came when Democrats circulated an affidavit from an estranged former sister-in-law alleging abuse of Hegseth’s ex-wife. However, his ex-wife, Samantha Deering, categorically denied the claims in an email to NBC News.
“There was no physical abuse in my marriage,” Deering stated. “I do not believe your information to be accurate, and I have cc’d my lawyer. This is the only further statement I will make to you. Please respect this decision.”
Despite the numerous attempts to block his nomination, Hegseth’s confirmation reflects a significant victory for Trump and his administration, with the former president emphasizing the importance of the result over the opposition.