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Powerful Republican Senator Votes Against Trump's Nominee for Secretary of Defense

Powerful Republican Senator Votes Against Trump's Nominee for Secretary of Defense

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell's vote against Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, drew criticism from some of the president's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) supporters.

But why has McConnell's vote attracted attention, writes newsweek.

Senate confirms Pete Hegseth as new Defense Secretary, despite sexual assault allegations
Read too Senate confirms Pete Hegseth as new Defense Secretary, despite sexual assault allegations

McConnell, who has led the Republican Party in the US Senate since 2007, has had notable clashes with Trump in the years following the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021 riots in the US Congress.


Despite these tensions, McConnell supported Trump last year, as he has always been seen to prioritize the interests of his party.

Trump has also criticized McConnell after his 2020 election loss, saying the senator was "hanging by a thread" and has continued to attack McConnell, mocking him for his support.

Despite being a staunch conservative, the Kentucky senator has also been criticized by Trump supporters as an "establishment" politician.

The Senate confirmed Hegseth as Secretary of the Department of Defense (DOD) in a close vote due to several Republican senators joining Democrats in opposing Hegseth's nomination.

Hegseth has previously called for the removal of "woke" military leaders and argued that women should not serve in combat roles. Hegseth has also supported pardoning service members accused of war crimes.

The former Fox News host faced more scrutiny when it was revealed he had been accused of sexual assault eight years ago. He was not charged, and a Trump spokesperson told Vanity Fair that Hegseth “vehemently denies all allegations.” /Telegraph/