After a few GOP senators, including McConnell, voted against Hegseth for defense secretary, the Senate narrowly voted to confirm him.

The Senate just barely confirmed Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary last week. Mitch McConnell’s vote against him in particular could spell trouble for Trump's shakiest nominees, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr,

Sen. Mitch McConnell accused new defense secretary Pete Hegseth of having "no substantial observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against a Chinese attack."

More Trump nominees with potentially rocky paths to confirmation face hearings in the Senate this week, including Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kash Patel.

"McConnell spent his life creating this crisis...Only at the end does he find a conscience," political commentator Wajahat Ali wrote.

McConnell was followed by former Speakers Kevin McCarthy, John Boehner, and Newt Gingrich. Notably absent from the procession was ex-Speaker Paul Ryan.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving senator from Kentucky, will not be at the helm of the Senate as he finishes his term, but political analysts say his influence is far from diminished.

Mitch McConnell, a lion of the Senate and one of its shrewdest legislative tacticians over four decades, announced that he will step down as Republican leader after November’s elections. The

"Trump just jeopardized basic programs that Kentuckians depend on to survive — from SNAP to LIHEAP. This unprecedented and reckless order will inflict unimaginable pain across Kentucky. Call KY Republicans in Congress NOW and tell them to stand up for families: (202) 224-3121."

When Donald Trump arrived in Washington in 2017 on the eve of his first inauguration, he was a stranger to most in town.

The Senate on Friday night confirmed President Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, to become the country’s next defense secretary.

Senate Republicans and their allies believe former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ’s chances of being confirmed as director of national intelligence will hinge on her performance during her confirmation hearing next week, with several mentioning she has an “uphill battle” in her chances of being confirmed.