WASHINGTON — The Senate has confirmed Pete Hegseth as the new defense secretary in a highly contentious late-night vote that ended in a tie, raising concerns about his suitability for the role amid allegations regarding his behavior and alcohol consumption.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and an Army veteran, faced widespread scrutiny regarding his qualifications, particularly for such an essential position in overseeing the U.S. military. Despite the controversy, the Republican-dominated Senate was resolute in pushing Hegseth’s confirmation through as part of President Donald Trump’s national security team.
Vice President JD Vance cast the deciding vote that broke the 50-50 deadlock, a rarity for Cabinet appointments, especially for secretaries of defense who usually receive broader bipartisan support. Hegseth expressed his gratitude, attending the Capitol alongside family members during the vote.
President Trump, returning from a visit to areas affected by fire in California, expressed satisfaction with the confirmation, emphasizing that he prioritized winning over dissent within the Republican ranks, including from influential figures like Sen. Mitch McConnell. Trump downplayed opposition from McConnell and two other Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins, stating that the focus should be on results rather than disagreements.
The ability of the Senate to confirm Hegseth, despite numerous allegations against him, highlights Trump’s ongoing political influence and dedication to his agenda, particularly in the realm of culture wars. This is a notably rare scenario, as there has only been one previous instance where a vice president had to break a tie regarding a Cabinet nominee.
In the upcoming week, senators will also consider Trump’s other suggested Cabinet picks, including Kash Patel as FBI director and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Health and Human Services.
Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the senior Democrat in the Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned if Hegseth was truly the best candidate available. Democrats uniformly opposed Hegseth’s nomination, emphasizing their concerns.
In defense of Hegseth, Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted his military service and the perspective he would bring to the role, dismissing what he termed “woke distractions” in favor of a focus on military readiness.
Hegseth worked diligently to gather support prior to the vote as his confirmation hung in the balance. Trump publicly affirmed his confidence in Hegseth during his travels to North Carolina and Los Angeles, labeling him a good candidate.
With tensions running high at the Senate, the confirmation required a simple majority. The Republicans, who hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate, were unable to lose any more votes after Murkowski and Collins spoke out against Hegseth.
Despite skepticism voiced by McConnell regarding Hegseth’s qualifications, other Republican senators supported the nomination, highlighting Hegseth’s passion for modernizing the military. The controversies surrounding Hegseth, including a past assault claim and allegations of domestic abuse, were vigorously denied by him as he sought to assure senators of his commitments.
During an intense confirmation hearing, Hegseth repeatedly rebuffed various allegations and reiterated his goal of cultivating a “warrior culture” within the Pentagon, promising abstention from alcohol while in office if conferred.
The narrative surrounding Hegseth remains divisive, especially regarding his previous comments on women’s roles in combat. While he has since softened those stances, many lawmakers still expressed apprehension regarding his qualifications and the implications of his confirmation for female service members.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski articulated concerns over the message that Hegseth’s confirmation would convey to women serving in the military and those considering a career in defense. Collins echoed similar misgivings after discussions with Hegseth left her unconvinced of any changes in his views.
Ultimately, many Republicans felt the pressure from Trump’s allies to support Hegseth as they prepared to help him lead an organization composed of approximately 2.1 million service members and a significant budget.
The Senate’s role in vetting Trump’s nominees remains crucial to restraining the idea floated by the president regarding bypassing the confirmation process entirely, which he discussed with GOP leaders in a bid to streamline his appointments.
