Pete Hegseth was officially appointed as the 29th Secretary of Defense on Saturday, rapidly joining President Trump’s Cabinet following a tense late-night Senate vote that confirmed his role leading the Pentagon.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, officiated by Vice President JD Vance, with Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Rauchet, present alongside several Republican senators. This event occurred shortly after Vance cast the tiebreaking vote in the Senate, which ended in a 50-50 stalemate regarding Hegseth’s confirmation.
In his inaugural remarks, Hegseth emphasized his core principles, stating, “Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence.” He further added that while the aim is to avoid war, his administration would be prepared to engage with powerful force to defeat adversaries if necessary, with a commitment to safely bringing U.S. troops home. He humorously mentioned that his children were pleased that he managed to secure the position “in overtime.”
Hegseth expressed gratitude to Vance for his decisive vote and thanked President Trump, who was away in Las Vegas at the time. In a subsequent message to the U.S. military, Hegseth pledged that the nation would remain the strongest military force globally and highlighted the importance of deterring aggression from Communist China in the Indo-Pacific region while reiterating support for allies.
The close confirmation of Hegseth raised eyebrows among senators from both parties who questioned his readiness to lead the military, especially amid allegations of excessive drinking and inappropriate behavior towards women.
As Hegseth steps into this role, he faces numerous challenges, navigating a vast bureaucracy amid pressing global crises. He acknowledged during his confirmation hearings that he would need to assemble a capable team, stating, “I want smarter and more capable people around me than me, and you will get that at the department.”
Unlike many of his predecessors who enjoyed bipartisan support, Hegseth’s confirmation was marked by opposition, particularly from Senate Democrats and some Republicans who expressed skepticism about his qualifications. Notably, he chose not to meet with any Democrats prior to his confirmation, breaking a political norm.
Concerns regarding Hegseth’s experience and conduct were significant, particularly considering his past as a combat veteran, veterans advocate, and television personality. Despite bipartisan support aiding the confirmations of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Hegseth’s nomination was met with firm resistance from Democrats, even those on key committees.
Responding to the Senate vote, Democratic leader Charles Schumer criticized the decision, asserting that the most powerful military in the world was being given to someone lacking adequate experience and exhibiting poor judgment. He expressed hopes that Hegseth would develop the necessary skills for the position.
Adding to the opposition, three Republican senators—Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski—voted against Hegseth, questioning his competency. Allegations against Hegseth included a claim of sexual assault at a Republican gathering, which he denied, stating the encounter was consensual; he eventually paid $50,000 to settle the matter.
Throughout his confirmation process, Hegseth insisted he would refrain from drinking while in office. His previous stance against women serving in combat also resurfaced following Trump’s announcement of Hegseth’s candidacy. During interviews, he appeared to shift his viewpoint, asserting that if military standards were upheld, he was supportive of women serving in combat roles.
At the ceremony, when asked about trust issues concerning women in the armed forces, Vice President Vance responded affirmatively, asserting that Hegseth would advocate for and protect all service members.
