Pete Hegseth confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for US Secretary of Defense, was confirmed by the Senate late Friday night, after facing allegations of misconduct that brought his confirmation close. like getting sidetracked.
Vice President JD Vance cast the deciding vote in Hegseth’s favor, after three Republican senators, including former Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, voted against him.
During Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, he faced many questions about allegations of sexual assaultwhich he denied, as well as infidelity and drinking.
The veteran and one-time Fox News host will oversee a department of about three million employees and an $849 billion budget.
Four Republicans would need to join the 47 Democratic senators and independents who voted against Hegseth for his nomination to be defeated.
McConnell’s surprise vote left the Senate in a 50-50 deadlock before Vance arrived to make the decisive decision.
Explaining his vote, McConnell issued a scathing statement saying that Hegseth was not ready to lead a vast department of three million people while managing a huge budget and coordinating with colleagues. global intelligence.
The role of Secretary of Defense is “a daily test with staggering consequences for the security of the American people,” McConnell said. “Mr. Hegseth has not yet demonstrated that he will pass this test.”
In confirming Hegseth, Vance became the second vice president in United States history to break a tie to endorse a Cabinet nominee. Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, became the first vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as education secretary in 2017.
“War, lethality, meritocracy, standards and readiness,” Hegseth said during his confirmation hearing earlier this month. That’s it. That’s my job.”
Democratic senators questioned Hegseth, an Army veteran, about his qualifications to lead one of the nation’s largest agencies.
Hegseth, 44, a veteran of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, later worked at Fox. He has little of the traditional experience needed for a position in the national security cabinet – a role typically filled by senior civil servants, experienced politicians, generals and directors. senior executive.
Hegseth was also asked during the hearing, specifically by female senators, about his previous comments that women should not play combat roles. He responded that his concern was not with women serving in combat but with maintaining a certain standard in the United States military.
His confirmation process has been overshadowed by allegations of misconduct. He was accused of sexually assaulting an unnamed woman in 2017 in a hotel room in Monterey, California. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
The newly confirmed Secretary of Defense also faces allegations of excessive drinking, including at work events, and of infidelity during two previous marriages.
“I am not a perfect person, but redemption is real,” he said during the hearing.
Earlier this week, he was charged with alcohol abuse and spousal abuse in an affidavit given to a congressional committee by his former sister-in-law. Hegseth’s lawyer denied the allegations.
But many Republicans, including Trump, maintained their support for Hegseth.
For Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican who voted against confirmation on Friday, past allegations helped sway their vote.
In a statement released days before the vote, she said his past behavior “demonstrates a lack of judgment and is unfit for someone who should lead our armed forces”.
Meanwhile, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, another Republican who voted against Hegseth, said she was “concerned that he does not have the experience and perspective needed to succeed in the job.” .
