Pete Hegseth Confirmed as US Secretary of Defence in Tight Senate Vote

2025-01-25

The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the US Secretary of Defence in a dramatic late-night vote on 24 January 2025, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The confirmation came after a contentious battle, with three Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky—joining all Democrats in opposing Hegseth’s nomination. The final vote was 51-50, marking a rare instance of a vice president breaking a tie for a Cabinet nominee.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, faced significant scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking, and aggressive behaviour toward his ex-wife. During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth denied all allegations, calling them part of a “smear campaign.” He also faced criticism for past comments opposing women in combat roles, though he later tempered those views. Despite these controversies, Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Hegseth’s military experience, stating he would bring a “warrior’s perspective” to the Pentagon and focus on “war fighting” rather than “woke distractions.”

Hegseth’s confirmation underscores President Donald Trump’s political influence and the GOP’s willingness to push through controversial nominees. Democrats, while opposed, lacked the votes to block the nomination and instead sought to delay the process. Hegseth will now lead the Department of Defence, overseeing nearly 2.1 million service members and a budget of $850 billion. His confirmation also sets the stage for other contentious Trump nominees, including Kash Patel for FBI director and Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence director.

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