In 2022, Scott became the first Republican senator to challenge McConnell for GOP leader during his 18-year tenure in the job.

We shouldn’t expect McConnell to be the next John McCain or Mitt Romney, but his vote Friday against Pete Hegseth previewed some fascinating dynamics ahead.

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,

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

On Friday night, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell strode onto the Senate floor and, without a moment’s hesitation, voted against the Republican president’s nominee for secretary of defense. The vote marked the hard launch of a new, unburdened, and final chapter in McConnell’s 40-year Senate career.

They’re mad because McConnell had the audacity to speak the absolute truth — that Pete Hegseth, who allegedly drinks too much, paid a woman $50,000 to settle a sexual assault allegation, and drove two nonprofit groups into the ground, wasn’t qualified to be U.S. defense secretary. And he voted against confirming Hegseth.

President Donald Trump dismissed Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) no-vote Friday night against now-Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The former Fox News weekend host was confirmed Friday night with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote to end Hegseth’s controversial confirmation process.

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

Amid calls that Mitch McConnel should immediately be censured, primaries and voted out of office, Donald Trump reacted to McConnell voting against Pete Hegseth in the crucial Senate confirmation that forced vice president JD Vance to vote in favor of Hegseth.

Senator Mitch McConnell used Vice President JD Vance's words to criticize President Trump's pardon of violent January 6 rioters.

WASHINGTON – Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell was one of three Republicans voting against the confirmation of Pete Hegseth on Friday to be secretary of Defense, though his appointment was approved by the narrowest of margins.

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