WASHINGTON – The Senate narrowly confirmed Pete Hegseth on Friday as secretary of Defense, a win for President Donald Trump's new administration after its 44-year-old nominee fended offallegations of sexual assault, public drinking and intoxication, and abusive treatment of women.
A former Fox News host and military veteran, Hegseth secured support from all but three Republicans to win confirmation with a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie. Vance, a former Ohio Senator, quipped on X as the vote continued to roll in, "I thought I was done voting in the senate," adding a laugh-cry emoji.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, Susan Collins, of Maine, and Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, the former Republican Senate leader who has previously clashed with Trump, joined all Democrats to vote against him. Hegseth showed up in person for the vote, which is unusual.
McConnell said in a statement that leading the United States Armed Forces is "a massive and solemn responsibility." Leading its 3 million personnel with a budget of $1 trillion is "a daily test with staggering consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests."
Senate votes to confirm Pete Hegseth as Trump’s new Defense Secretary
WASHINGTON – The Senate narrowly confirmed Pete Hegseth on Friday as secretary of Defense, a win for President Donald Trump's new administration after its 44-year-old nominee fended offallegations of sexual assault, public drinking and intoxication, and abusive treatment of women.
A former Fox News host and military veteran, Hegseth secured support from all but three Republicans to win confirmation with a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie. Vance, a former Ohio Senator, quipped on X as the vote continued to roll in, "I thought I was done voting in the senate," adding a laugh-cry emoji.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, Susan Collins, of Maine, and Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, the former Republican Senate leader who has previously clashed with Trump, joined all Democrats to vote against him. Hegseth showed up in person for the vote, which is unusual.
McConnell said in a statement that leading the United States Armed Forces is "a massive and solemn responsibility." Leading its 3 million personnel with a budget of $1 trillion is "a daily test with staggering consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests."
"Mr. Hegseth has failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test," he said. "But as he assumes office, the consequences of failure are as high as they have ever been."
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chair of the Armed Services Committee, which oversaw Hegseth's nomination process, said he knew in advance about McConnell's surprise vote. He added that he hadn't read the former GOP leader's statement, but he heard it was "explicit."
Sen. Jack Reed, the Armed Services Committee's top Democrat, who opposed Hegseth's confirmation from the beginning, said in a statement he respected the outcome of the vote but would "watch him like a hawk, as I have with previous secretaries from both parties."
"I will demand accountability," Reed's statement said.
Vance did not respond to questions when asked what his message was to McConnell or other Republicans who voted no.
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