- Pete Hegseth confirmed as US Defense Secretary after Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking Senate vote.
- Faced allegations of misconduct, infidelity, and excessive drinking, which sparked heated debates during confirmation.
- Criticized for lack of traditional qualifications but supported by Trump and key Republican allies.
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for defence secretary, secured Senate confirmation late Friday night, overcoming serious misconduct allegations that nearly derailed his appointment.
Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, marking only the second time in U.S. history a vice president has broken a tie to confirm a cabinet nominee.
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The vote followed defections by three Republican senators, including former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who joined all 47 Democrats and independents in opposing Hegseth.
Hegseth, a 44-year-old combat veteran and former Fox News host, faced intense scrutiny during his confirmation hearings. Allegations of sexual assault, infidelity, and excessive drinking, along with his controversial views on women in combat roles, dominated the proceedings.
He denied all accusations, including a claim of sexual assault involving a woman in 2017 and a recent sworn affidavit from his former sister-in-law alleging spousal abuse and alcohol misuse. Hegseth admitted personal failings but emphasized redemption during his testimony, stating, “I am not a perfect person, but redemption is real.”
Despite limited traditional qualifications for the role—typically filled by senior civil servants or military leaders—Hegseth pledged to prioritize “warfighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards, and readiness” in leading the Department of Defence, which oversees three million employees and a $849 billion budget.
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Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, both Republicans who voted against confirmation, cited concerns over his judgment and lack of experience. Collins expressed doubts about his ability to meet the demands of the position, while Murkowski condemned his past behaviour as unbecoming for someone tasked with leading the nation’s armed forces.
