It’s beginning to look like McConnell wants to see Republicans fail.
In a surprising turn on Capitol Hill, longtime Republican Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) cast the lone GOP vote against President Donald Trump’s nominee for a top Pentagon position—sparking renewed debate over America’s global defense strategy.
Elbridge Colby, now confirmed as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, secured Senate approval in a narrow 54-45 vote. Yet McConnell—who has spent decades shaping U.S. foreign policy—issued a serious warning: shifting America’s military focus away from Europe and the Middle East could have dangerous, long-term consequences.
“This isn’t strategic genius,” McConnell said in a public statement. “It’s a revival of the failed Obama-era approach that left our allies in the dark and handed leverage to our enemies.”
Defense Policy Shift Sparks Controversy
Colby has publicly advocated for a sharp pivot toward the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing threats posed by China’s growing military power. But McConnell says abandoning long-standing commitments to Ukraine, NATO, and key Middle Eastern partners will embolden adversaries like Russia, Iran, and radical Islamic terror groups.
“Abandoning our allies is not strength—it’s weakness,” McConnell said. “This kind of geostrategic self-harm sends the wrong message to our enemies and shakes the confidence of our friends.”
Despite concerns from several Senate Republicans during the vetting process, McConnell was the only one to vote against Colby’s confirmation. Three Democrats—Sens. Jack Reed (RI), Mark Kelly (AZ), and Elissa Slotkin (MI)—voted in favor, helping to push Colby across the finish line.
Rising Worries Over Isolationist Voices in the Pentagon
Sources inside the GOP say McConnell’s opposition stems from broader concerns about a trend in Pentagon staffing—what he described as a rise in “restraint and retrenchment” voices that echo isolationist policies.
During Colby’s confirmation hearing, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) questioned Colby about controversial figures appointed to key Defense Department roles.
One of them, Michael DiMino, has drawn fire from pro-Israel and national security advocates after arguing that the U.S. faces no “existential threat” in the Middle East. Colby distanced himself from DiMino, insisting those views don’t reflect President Trump’s hardline defense policy.
Wicker also raised alarm over Andrew Byers, another Defense official who criticized U.S. deterrence efforts toward the Chinese Communist Party. Colby pushed back, saying those opinions are not representative of his own approach.
McConnell: America Must Project Strength, Not Retreat
As McConnell prepares to step down after decades in the Senate, he made clear he will continue supporting nominees who understand the importance of peace through strength, a cornerstone of conservative foreign policy.
“America will not be made great again by managing its decline,” McConnell said. “We need leaders who reinforce our strength—not weaken it.”