Vance Slams McConnell’s Vote Against Trump Pentagon Nominee as “Political Pettiness”

Vice President JD Vance (R-OH) has publicly criticized Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for voting against the confirmation of Elbridge Colby as undersecretary of defense for policy, Fox News reports.

Colby was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday in a 54-45 vote.

Vance took to social media platform X to express his disapproval:

“Mitch’s vote today—like so much of the last few years of his career—is one of the great acts of political pettiness I’ve ever seen.”

Colby, who was President Donald Trump’s pick for the Pentagon post, ultimately secured confirmation despite the opposition of McConnell, who was the only Republican Senator to vote against him. Three Democrats crossed party lines to vote in favor of Colby’s confirmation.

McConnell explained his opposition in a statement, citing concerns about Colby’s views on foreign policy. “Elbridge Colby’s long public record suggests a willingness to discount the complexity of the challenges facing America, the critical value of our allies and partners, and the urgent need to invest in hard power to preserve American primacy,” McConnell said.

He further elaborated:

“Mr. Colby’s confirmation leaves open the door for the less-polished standard-bearers of restraint and retrenchment at the Pentagon to do irreparable damage to the system of alliances and partnerships which serve as force multipliers to US leadership. It encourages isolationist perversions of peace through strength to continue apace at the highest levels of Administration policymaking.”

McConnell has reportedly voted against several Trump nominees this year.

Vance, however, has been a vocal supporter of Colby. He spoke in favor of Colby’s nomination at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last month.