Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth halted shipments of weapons to Ukraine that were already loaded onto trucks in Europe and ready for delivery. However, on Monday night, President Donald Trump intervened and instructed the aid be sent, and Republicans are celebrating that the president is embracing a defense against Russia.
Hegseth had previously claimed that sending the weapons would jeopardize the United States' readiness, but experts disagreed, NBC News reported last week.
Trump commented Monday, "We have to" send the weapons. "They have to be able to defend themselves."
McConnell said in a statement on his Senate website that he was pleased with the decision, following his criticism of the Trump administration's restrictions on aid and its military budget, which he alleged was insufficient, Politico reported.
“Today, the strategic incoherence of underfunding our military and restricting lethal assistance to partners like Ukraine is measured in the avoidable erosion of American credibility with allies and the mounting deaths of innocents,” McConnell said in a statement.
Speaking to his Cabinet on Tuesday, Trump was asked about Ukraine but seemed clueless on some details. CNN's Katlin Collins asked Trump who ordered the stop of the weapons delivery.
He confessed, "I don't know," as Hegseth was seated to his left. "Why don't you tell me?"
McConnell complained about “those at DoD who invoke munitions shortages to block aid while refusing to invest seriously in expanding munitions production.”
Without saying his name, McConnell was likely referring to defense policy chief Elbridge Colby, who has claimed U.S. stockpiles are running low. McConnell was the only person to vote against his appointment, said Politico.
“The self-indulgent policymaking of restrainers — from Ukraine to AUKUS — has so often required the President to clean up his staff’s messes,” McConnell said.
Another reporter questioned Trump on Tuesday about Ukraine's reports that Russia used toxic chemicals during the fight. Ukraine has requested that the International Criminal Court intervene. Trump didn't know about that either, the videos show.
"What do you know about this, Pete?" Trump asked, leaning over to Hegseth.
Hegseth could be heard whispering that CIA Director John Ratcliffe might know.
Trump pivoted, "Well, I'd ask John to discuss it."
Ratcliffe dodged, reiterating the international policy that the use of chemical weapons is illegal. He said he couldn't share any intelligence on the matter, but he knew that Trump doesn't stand for the use of chemical weapons.
Meanwhile, House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-AL) said that Trump sending the weapons could send a message to Putin that he must negotiate a peace agreement.
"President Trump is right that now is not the time to pause U.S. military aid to support Ukraine’s defense,” he said in a statement.