Pete Hegseth was confirmed Friday as the 29th secretary of Defense after a contentious Senate confirmation process.
The vote was split down party lines, with 50 votes for and 50 votes against and Vice President JD Vance set to break the tie, according to the unofficial tally. Hegseth will oversee the U.S. armed forces’ domestic and foreign activities as its civilian head.
“Pete has a unique perspective as a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and is unquestionably passionate about modernizing our military and supporting the brave patriots like himself who serve our nation,” Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who was rumored to have defected with his vote, said on X Friday. “I will support his confirmation and look forward to working with him to rebuild our military and advance President Trump’s peace through strength agenda.”
Republican defections included Republican Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, Republican Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins.
Hegseth’s confirmation hearing was tense, as his allegations of sexual assault and past comments on women’s role in the military drew harsh attacks from Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Despite the attacks, he drew praise from his Republican colleagues for his performance.
He was also accused of abusing alcohol at work at Fox News and multiple instances of marital infidelity, drawing more character criticisms from the Democrats.
Hegseth was previously a host on Fox and Friends before accepting the nomination. He also previously served as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to his website.
Numerous veterans and military colleagues who have served alongside Hegseth endorsed his nomination.
Hegseth is a chief advocate for removing so-called “wokeness” from the military, calling it unnecessary and saying it causes a disconnect between the rank and file and senior leadership. Many military experts have blamed left-wing initiatives for the current recruitment crisis in the armed forces.
He also supports leveling standards for men and women for certain roles, saying in the hearing that the standards “need to be the same, and they need to be high.” The Army lowered its fitness test standards for women and older members in 2022 after a study found that young men were passing the six-event fitness test at a significantly higher rate than women and older soldiers.
The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Screenshot/Fox News)
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