Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell led Republican criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Senate budget hearing, questioning the Trump administration’s approach to ending the Ukraine war. McConnell, who opposed Hegseth’s confirmation, warned that America’s global reputation was at stake and urged continued support for democratic allies.
The hearing exposed a growing divide within the Republican Party, with McConnell advocating a traditional leadership role for the U.S. while Hegseth defended Trump’s restraint-oriented foreign policy. When pressed, Hegseth acknowledged that Russia was the aggressor but avoided stating which side the administration wanted to win. He instead blamed past administrations for mishandling Russia and emphasized Trump’s commitment to negotiating peace.
