Pete Hegseth, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and former Fox News host, was confirmed as President Trump’s Defense Secretary in a dramatic Senate vote Friday night.
The Senate voted 51-50 to make Hegseth, 44, the nation’s armed forces leader. Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky opposed Hegseth’s nomination.
From The New York Post:
JD Vance was forced to become only the second vice president in US history to cast a tie-breaking vote for a cabinet official. Former Vice President Mike Pence helped confirm Education Secretary Betsy Devos by offering the final vote in 2017.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) had wavered in his support for Trump’s nominee in the final moments leading up to the vote — but issued an 11th hour statement from the floor that Hegseth had his full support after he “conducted … due diligence” on the nom.
Tillis said he had asked “tough questions of Pete and I appreciated his candor and openness in answering them.” Hegseth shared a full copy of the letter he sent to the North Carolina Republican’s office at about the same time, which included a rebuttal of spousal abuse allegations from his former sister-in-law.
Hegseth, a retired Army major and fierce critic of “woke” military initiatives, was among the most controversial of Trump’s cabinet appointments due to allegations of personal misconduct — including sexual assault.
President Donald Trump reacted to Hegseth’s confirmation, saying it’s an honor to have him in the administration.
“I’m honored to have Pete. I think Pete’s gonna be a great Secretary of Defense, and we’re honored to have him,” Trump told reporters Friday night.
Watch Trump’s comments below:
🚨BREAKING: President Trump just reacted to Pete Hegseth becoming the next Secretary of Defense:
"I'm honored to have Pete. I think Pete's gonna be a great Secretary of Defense and we're honored to have him."
pic.twitter.com/1FkvwuVTGx— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) January 25, 2025