In a dramatic and closely watched vote, Pete Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate as the nation’s defense secretary late Friday. The confirmation process culminated in a rare tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President JD Vance, highlighting the deep divisions and intense scrutiny surrounding Hegseth’s nomination. This contentious confirmation overcame significant questions regarding his qualifications and past conduct, including allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior.
The nomination of Hegseth, a former Fox News host and combat veteran, sparked considerable debate, particularly for such a critical role overseeing the U.S. military. His limited experience in governmental administration and controversial public statements raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Despite these concerns, the Republican-led Senate ultimately pushed through his confirmation, underscoring President Donald Trump’s strong influence and determination to appoint his chosen national security officials.
The Senate vote reached a 50-50 deadlock, an uncommon occurrence for Cabinet nominees, especially for defense secretaries who typically garner bipartisan support. Vice President Vance’s arrival to cast the tie-breaking vote underscored the highly polarized nature of Hegseth’s nomination. Hegseth himself was present at the Capitol with his family as the vote unfolded.
WATCH: GOP Sen. Banks says ‘it’s a matter of national security’ to quickly confirm Hegseth
President Trump, reacting to the confirmation as he departed for California, expressed his satisfaction. “We have a great secretary of defense and we’re very happy,” he stated, downplaying the dissent from within his own party. Despite opposition from influential figures like former Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, who, along with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, voted against Hegseth, Trump emphasized, “the important thing is winning.”
Hegseth’s successful confirmation, despite serious allegations, demonstrates President Trump’s significant political leverage and ability to achieve his objectives with a Republican-controlled Congress. It also reflects the powerful role of culture wars in shaping his administration’s agenda.
The necessity for a vice-presidential tie-breaker vote for a Cabinet nominee is rare, having occurred only once before during Trump’s first term when Vice President Mike Pence confirmed Betsy DeVos as education secretary.
Looking ahead, the Senate is poised to consider other controversial Trump Cabinet picks, including Kash Patel for FBI director, Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services.
Senator Jack Reed, the leading Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced strong opposition, questioning Hegseth’s suitability for the role. “Is Pete Hegseth truly the best we have to offer?” he asked, urging his colleagues to carefully consider their vote. All Democrats ultimately voted against the confirmation.
However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune championed Hegseth, highlighting his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thune argued Hegseth would bring a “warrior’s perspective” to the Pentagon, signaling a shift away from diversity and inclusion initiatives towards a focus on “war fighting.” “Gone will be the days of woke distractions,” Thune asserted.
READ MORE: Takeaways from Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing
As the confirmation vote neared, Hegseth actively engaged in last-minute efforts to secure support. President Trump, before leaving for disaster relief efforts, reiterated his support, calling Hegseth “a good man” and expressing hope for his confirmation.
The uncertainty surrounding the vote created palpable tension at the Capitol. With a narrow 53-47 majority, Republicans could only afford a few defections. Senators Murkowski and Collins had already declared their opposition, raising the stakes further.
While Senator McConnell had previously indicated skepticism about nominees who might be “liabilities,” Senator Thom Tillis initially caused uncertainty by raising questions. However, after discussions with Hegseth, Tillis ultimately voted in favor, citing Hegseth’s “unique perspective” and commitment to military modernization. Tillis mentioned a “nearly two-hour” conversation addressing his concerns.
READ MORE: Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s opening statement
In contrast, Senator McConnell, following the vote, expressed reservations, suggesting Hegseth might not fully grasp the demands of the position. He stated that a “mere desire to be a ‘change agent’ is not enough.”
Despite their opposition to Hegseth, Democrats had previously joined Republicans in confirming other Trump national security nominees like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Faced with limited power to block Hegseth’s confirmation, Democrats focused on prolonging the process. Senator Chris Murphy described Hegseth as “dangerously and woefully unqualified,” echoing the strong Democratic disapproval.
Allegations of misconduct further complicated Hegseth’s nomination. He faced accusations of sexual assault at a Republican conference, claims he denied, stating the encounter was consensual, despite a subsequent $50,000 payment to the woman. Additionally, his former sister-in-law alleged abusive behavior towards his second wife, which Hegseth also denied.
During a heated confirmation hearing, Hegseth addressed the allegations, dismissing them as a “smear campaign” and reiterating his commitment to bringing a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon. He also pledged not to consume alcohol while on duty if confirmed.
Republican senators, facing pressure from Trump allies, rallied behind Hegseth, echoing his claims of a smear campaign.
Hegseth, a graduate of Princeton and Harvard, represents a generation of veterans who came to prominence after the September 11th attacks. His career at Fox News as a weekend show host preceded his nomination, making him a relatively unfamiliar figure on Capitol Hill until President Trump selected him for the Defense Secretary post.
His past statements questioning the role of women in military combat sparked particular concern, including from female lawmakers and veterans. While Hegseth reportedly tempered these views during the confirmation process, Senators Murkowski and Collins remained unconvinced.
Senator Murkowski, in a detailed statement, highlighted the stark contrast between Hegseth’s behavior and military expectations. She expressed concern about the message Hegseth’s confirmation would send to women in the military and those considering service. Senator Collins also stated that she remained unconvinced of Hegseth’s changed stance on women in combat roles after their discussion.
Despite some initial skepticism, even from veteran and sexual assault survivor Senator Joni Ernst, Republican support ultimately solidified behind Hegseth.
As Defense Secretary, Hegseth assumes leadership of a vast organization comprising approximately 2.1 million service members, 780,000 civilians, and an $850 billion budget.
The Senate’s confirmation process for Hegseth occurred against the backdrop of President Trump’s suggestions to bypass Senate confirmations through recess appointments, a proposition many senators sought to avoid.
In conclusion, Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Defense Secretary through a deeply divided Senate vote, marked by significant controversy and requiring a tie-breaker from the Vice President. His confirmation underscores the current political climate and the enduring influence of President Trump.
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Los Angeles and Chris Megerian in Washington contributed to this report.
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