The Washington, D.C. establishment has their backs on the ropes. That makes them dangerous.
Because a U.S. Senator just stabbed President Trump right in the back in stunning fashion.
Trump’s Pentagon Nominee Confirmed Despite GOP Backstabbing
The Senate voted 54 to 45 on Tuesday to confirm Elbridge Colby as the Pentagon’s under secretary for policy, cementing a key figure in the America First defense agenda. The vote, which unfolded largely along party lines, showcased robust Republican support for Colby’s nomination, with only former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell breaking ranks to oppose the rising star of Trump’s national security team. This confirmation signals a bold step toward reshaping U.S. defense priorities under Trump’s leadership, prioritizing strength, pragmatism, and a clear-eyed focus on American interests.
Colby’s path to confirmation wasn’t without turbulence. Reports surfaced that Senate defense hawks, wary of his past statements on Iran, worked behind closed doors to derail his nomination. Yet, their efforts crumbled in the face of overwhelming support from Trump loyalists and even a handful of Democrats, including Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Their votes emphasized Colby’s credibility and the bipartisan recognition of his strategic acumen, despite the predictable resistance from establishment figures.
Mitch McConnell, a long-standing skeptic of Trump’s foreign policy, stood alone among Republicans in voting “no.” In a statement following the vote, McConnell aired his grievances, claiming, “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.” He went further, warning that “abandoning Ukraine and Europe and downplaying the Middle East to prioritize the Indo-Pacific is not a clever geopolitical chess move.” McConnell’s critique, steeped in the outdated interventionist mindset of the pre-Trump era, failed to sway his colleagues, who see Colby as a forward-thinking strategist aligned with the president’s vision.
McConnell’s dissent extended beyond Colby, as he also opposed the confirmations of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, citing similar concerns about their rejection of endless foreign entanglements. His votes reveal a disconnect with the GOP’s evolving priorities under Trump, which emphasize strength at home and strategic focus abroad over costly, open-ended commitments. Colby’s confirmation, in contrast, represents a triumph for those who believe America’s military must be laser-focused on existential threats rather than scattered across the globe.
Vice President JD Vance, a staunch ally of Colby, introduced the nominee during his March 4 confirmation hearing, praising his “incredible integrity and intellect.” Vance’s endorsement carried weight, reflecting the trust that Trump’s inner circle places in Colby to execute a defense strategy rooted in realism and American sovereignty. During the hearing, Colby left no doubt about his commitment to Trump’s agenda, declaring, “I am committed to implementing his [Trump’s] vision of a defense and foreign policy of putting Americans’ interests first and of peace through strength.” His words resonated with senators who see him as a bulwark against the chaos of a world teetering on the brink of conflict.
Congratulations to @ElbridgeColby on his Senate confirmation as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.
I look forward to working together to put our warfighters first and strengthen our national defense. pic.twitter.com/LrRAezBJzV
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) April 8, 2025
Colby’s vision of “peace through strength” isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a blueprint for a military that deters adversaries and protects American lives without being bogged down in un-winnable wars. He warned senators, “Peace and the protection of American interests in the world cannot be assumed. There is a real risk of major war, and we cannot afford to lose one. I recognize these realities in my bones.” This sober assessment of global dangers, paired with his refusal to indulge in reckless hawkishness, sets Colby apart as a leader who understands the stakes of the 21st century.
One of Colby’s most contentious positions has been his caution against military strikes on Iran, a stance that drew scrutiny from war-hungry critics. In an October 2023 post on X, he wrote, “I think Iran is a more formidable danger … Iran has a large conventional and asymmetric military that presents a threat to US allies. Don’t be deceived. Any serious effort to suppress Iran’s nuclear program would be very, very demanding and consuming. Iran’s military has limited conventional power projection capabilities but is formidable in self-defense.” His analysis reflects a disciplined approach, prioritizing American resources for winnable fights over quagmires that drain national strength.
During his confirmation hearing, Colby addressed concerns about Iran head-on, telling Sen. Tom Cotton that he views a nuclear-armed Iran as an “existential threat” to the United States. This clarity reassured senators that Colby’s restraint is not weakness but a calculated effort to preserve America’s military might for the battles that matter most. His ability to navigate tough questions while staying true to Trump’s principles helped secure his confirmation, proving his readiness to serve as a top Pentagon advisor.
Colby’s experience makes him uniquely suited for the role. As deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development during Trump’s first term, he co-led the drafting of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, which pivoted U.S. military focus toward the growing threat of China in the Indo-Pacific. That document was a game-changer, reorienting Pentagon priorities away from endless Middle Eastern conflicts and toward the long-term challenge of a rising superpower. Colby’s foresight in recognizing China as the pacing threat has only grown more relevant, and his confirmation ensures that the Pentagon will double down on this critical region.
The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced Colby’s nomination on April 1 in a private vote, a quiet but significant milestone that paved the way for Tuesday’s full Senate approval. His role as the Pentagon’s third-ranking official will see him briefing Defense Secretary Hegseth on policy matters, forming a dynamic partnership that promises to execute Trump’s defense vision with precision. Together, they’ll work to rebuild a military that’s been stretched thin by decades of misguided interventions, ensuring it’s ready to deter and, if necessary, defeat any adversary.
Colby’s confirmation is a rebuke to the old guard who cling to a unipolar world order that no longer exists. His focus on the Indo-Pacific aligns with Trump’s belief that America must prioritize its own security and prosperity over policing distant nations. By advocating for a military that’s strong, agile, and focused on clear threats, Colby embodies the America First ethos that voters demanded when they returned Trump to the White House.
The vote also sends a message to America’s adversaries: under Trump’s leadership, the Pentagon will be guided by clear-headed strategists who won’t be baited into reckless conflicts. Colby’s emphasis on deterrence over provocation ensures that the U.S. will project strength without squandering resources on fights that don’t serve the national interest. This approach is a breath of fresh air in a Washington long dominated by war drums and blank checks.
Elbridge Colby is one of the brightest foreign policy minds in the GOP and it's pathetic watching Mitch McConnell continue to stand with Dems to sabotage President Trump. This is why whoever replaces Mitch for Senate needs to represent a clean break from him – Time for a change! pic.twitter.com/yYwsVaCUBU
— Nate Morris (@NateMorris) April 8, 2025
As Colby prepares to take his post, the Trump administration is poised to deliver on its promise of a stronger, smarter defense posture. His confirmation is a win for Americans who want a military that protects the homeland, deters aggression, and avoids the pitfalls of endless wars. With Colby at the Pentagon, Trump’s vision of peace through strength is one step closer to reality.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
