Washington — In a closely watched vote, the Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the new Secretary of Defense, marking a significant victory for President Trump after a challenging nomination process. The confirmation, which took place on Saturday morning, followed a vote largely divided along party lines, highlighting the deep political polarization surrounding Hegseth’s nomination.
The Senate vote concluded with 51 in favor and 50 against, requiring Vice President JD Vance to cast a tie-breaking vote to secure Hegseth’s confirmation. This narrow margin underscores the contentious nature of the nomination, as three Republicans crossed party lines to oppose Hegseth. Had just four Republicans voted against him, the nomination would have failed.
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Hegseth’s path to confirmation was fraught with obstacles. Allegations of sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement cast a shadow over his nomination, placing it in jeopardy. Despite these challenges, the former Fox News host maintained a resolute stance, bolstered by President Trump’s unwavering support.
Following his confirmation, Secretary Hegseth issued his first message to the troops, signaling his priorities for the Department of Defense. “We will revive the warrior ethos and restore trust in our military,” he declared, setting the tone for his leadership.
Pete Hegseth, incoming U.S. secretary of defense, departs the U.S. Capitol following his confirmation vote in Washington, DC, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.
Senate Republicans largely dismissed the swirling allegations against Hegseth, including those detailed in a sworn affidavit from his former sister-in-law. This affidavit, submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee, alleged that Hegseth’s behavior caused his second wife to fear for her safety and cited instances of alcohol abuse over several years.
However, the allegations did resonate with some within the Republican ranks. Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine publicly announced their opposition to Hegseth’s confirmation. Murkowski cited the serious allegations and Hegseth’s past views on women in combat roles as key factors in her decision. She emphasized that the conduct attributed to Hegseth was incompatible with the standards expected of military personnel and their leaders. Collins echoed these concerns, questioning Hegseth’s experience and perspective for the role, and expressing doubts about his evolved stance on women in combat.
In a surprising move, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky also voted against Hegseth, despite previously supporting the advancement of his nomination. McConnell’s late opposition underscored the gravity of the concerns surrounding Hegseth. In a statement released after the vote, McConnell articulated that Hegseth had “failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test,” referring to the immense responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense role.
President Trump, while in California assessing wildfire damage, expressed unawareness of McConnell’s vote but voiced strong support for Hegseth. He predicted Hegseth would be “a great secretary of defense.”
Vice President JD Vance, whose tie-breaking vote proved decisive, remarked on the unexpected necessity of his vote, highlighting the Senate’s deep division.
The confirmation hearing itself was a battleground. Democrats pressed Hegseth intensely on a 2017 sexual assault allegation, which Hegseth has consistently denied. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia probed Hegseth’s past infidelities during his marriages, questioning his judgment and character. Kaine directly challenged Hegseth on the timing of the alleged sexual encounter relative to his marital status and recent childbirth with another woman. Hegseth avoided direct answers to these lines of questioning, further fueling the controversy.
Throughout the hearing, Hegseth characterized the accusations as a smear campaign intended to undermine his nomination. He acknowledged personal imperfections but emphasized his faith and his marriage to his current wife, Jenny, as sources of personal redemption. It was revealed that Hegseth had paid a $50,000 settlement to his accuser, a detail that added another layer of complexity to the allegations.
Regarding his previous stance on women in combat, Hegseth clarified that his concerns were rooted in maintaining standards within the military.
Hegseth’s career path includes service in Iraq and Afghanistan, followed by a prominent role at Fox News, where he co-hosted “Fox & Friends Weekend” before resigning to accept the nomination for Secretary of Defense.
Kaia Hubbard contributed to this report.
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C.
