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.

The former Senate Republican leader says he’ll prioritize national security during the final two years of his term.

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,

Louisville, gave up his post as Republican Floor Leader in that chamber at the end of 2024, he will remain in leadership,

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

Pete Hegseth is widely seen as a threat to the establishment that governs the Defense Department and its related industries.

Sen. Mitch McConnell was one of three Republicans to vote against Pete Hegseth, who was narrowly confirmed as President Donald Trump's defense secretary.

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

With his "no" vote on Fox News personality Pete Hegseth's nomination to become the first secretary of defense during Donald Trump's second administration, influential former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) served notice to the newly elected president,

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."

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.