Pete Hegseth confirmed as US defense chief in tiebreaker Senate vote political news
Hegseth’s nomination was marred by allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct.
Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as United States Secretary of Defense, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the vote to break the 50-50 tie, underscoring the controversy over his nomination that has been fueled by allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct. Surrounded by allegations of abuse.
Friday’s confirmation of Hegseth, a 44-year-old former Fox News personality and decorated veteran, is being seen as a victory for President Donald Trump amid opposition from all Democrats, one independent and three Republican members of the Senate.
This was only the second time in history that a tie-break was required to confirm a cabinet nominee. The first was also Trump nominee Betsy DeVos, who became secretary of education in 2017.
Hegseth, who is promising sweeping changes at the Pentagon, took over as defense chief amid pressure from the Trump administration to expand the military’s role along the war in Ukraine, ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza, as well as the US-Mexico border. Has taken charge. ,
He is seen as the most divisive candidate to seek the top US military post.
The three Republican senators who voted against Hegseth were Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell, who until this month was the party leader in the chamber.
McConnell said Hegseth failed to demonstrate that he had the ability to effectively manage an organization as large and complex as the military.
“A mere desire to be a ‘change agent’ is not enough to fill these gaps,” McConnell said in a statement.
Hegseth will lead the 1.3 million active-duty service members and nearly one million civilians who serve for the U.S. military, which has an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion.
Hegseth told lawmakers that, up to this point, the largest group he had managed was 100 people and the largest budget was $16 million.
His nomination was also marred by several allegations, including one made this week by his former sister-in-law, who said he abused his second wife to the extent that she hid in a closet and hung out with friends. To put a code word. He had to be saved.
Hegseth strongly denied the allegations and his wife had previously denied any physical abuse.
