During Friday’s Valentine’s Day episode of The View, co-host Joy Behar opened the show by criticizing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), blaming him for President Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory.

Behar’s comments came after the Senate confirmed two of Trump’s more controversial cabinet picks—former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“So, here’s the story,” Behar said.

“Two of Trump’s most controversial cabinet nominees were confirmed, Tulsi Gabbard is our new Director of National Intelligence and RFK Jr. is the head of Health and Human Services. There was only one GOP senator who voted ‘no,’ the soon-to-be retired Mitch McConnell, the man who got us into this mess.”

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Behar continued her criticism of McConnell, bringing up his past decisions.

“He stole a Supreme Court seat from Obama, voted to acquit Trump after the insurrection, and even endorsed him for president again. Thanks for nothing, Mitch. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

McConnell, who voted against both Gabbard and Kennedy’s nominations, has long been a target of criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Behar’s claim that he “stole” a Supreme Court seat refers to his decision not to hold confirmation hearings for Merrick Garland, who was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2016.

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McConnell maintained that the Senate should not confirm a Supreme Court nominee during an election year, a stance that ultimately led to the confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch under Trump.

Following Behar’s remarks, co-host Sara Haines expressed concerns over Kennedy’s confirmation as head of Health and Human Services, citing his past stance on vaccinations.

“I’m really nervous—about the whole kit and caboodle, but RFK Jr. is scary to me because a lot of things we’ve talked about, vaccinations, but we’re also seeing a huge uptick of health problems,” Haines said.

Behar then injected humor into the discussion, questioning how Kennedy would handle potential health crises.

“How do you think RFK is going to handle bird flu?” Behar asked.

“Just run over the chickens and then cook them? Or what? What is he going to do?”

Co-host Sunny Hostin reacted by stating, “I don’t even know what to say. Like, we in trouble. Like, this is bad.”

Ana Navarro, who identifies as a Republican but has been a vocal critic of Trump and many in the GOP, suggested that McConnell’s opposition to Trump’s nominees was only possible because he no longer feared political consequences.

“But you know why was Mitch McConnell able to do it now?” Navarro asked. “Because now he has no fear of retribution from Donald Trump. … Whereas, everybody else is terrified of him and toeing the line.”

Behar escalated her remarks by alleging that Republican lawmakers face not just political repercussions but physical threats.

“Somebody said they were afraid for their lives and also the lives of their children and their wives. It’s not just not being re-elected. It’s physical threats that go on,” Behar claimed.

She concluded her statement with a seemingly unrelated remark, advising Americans to get their vaccinations.

“All I can say is get your vaccines now, America.”

Behar’s commentary reflects ongoing criticism from The View panel toward Trump and his administration as his second term begins.

With his cabinet now taking shape and policies being enacted, the show’s co-hosts are expected to continue scrutinizing the administration’s decisions and appointments in the weeks ahead.

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