Senate Confirms Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary After Vance Casts Tie-Breaking Vote
Pete Hegseth has been officially sworn in as Secretary of Defense after the Senate voted to confirm him late Friday night. Vice President Vance was forced to serve as the tie-breaking vote to advance the nomination after three Republicans — Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell — joined all Democrats in voting against his nomination.
Hegseth, a former Minnesota National Guard officer who served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was confirmed after a contentious process that saw multiple unsubstantiated allegations, almost all of which were thoroughly discredited, levied against him.
“All praise and glory to God. His will be done and we’re grateful to be here,” Hegseth said after being sworn in on Saturday afternoon. The nation’s brand new secretary of defense credited his faith and his wife, Jenny, for getting him through the tough confirmation process. “And as I said in my hearing, it was Jesus and Jenny. I would not be here without you, sweetheart. Thank you so much.”
Hegseth went on to thank President Trump for selecting him for the role. The War on Terror veteran’s nomination caused panic among the Washington D.C. establishment due to his resume, as detractors claimed he lacks experience since he was never a general. Supporters have found Hegseth’s experience to be refreshing, however, as it positions him as a Washington outsider who can implement key reforms.
Former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell emerged as a last-minute “no” vote after Collins and Murkowski had previously stated that they would not be voting to confirm. McConnell trashed Hegseth’s resume and suggested that he was unqualified to lead the department in a lengthy statement released after the vote.
“Effective management of nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with staggering consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests,” he said. “Mr. Hegseth has failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test. But as he assumes office, the consequences of failure are as high as they have ever been,” the statement continued.
McConnell said that Hegseth during his confirmation hearing “provided no substantial observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against a Chinese attack, or even whether he believes the United States.”
Despite McConnell’s opposition — which has generated outrage among the Trump base — Hegseth will be getting to work immediately after being sworn in. Hegseth, who most recently worked as a host for Fox News, has vowed to reform the Veterans Affairs Department in order to provide much needed care and support to America’s war veterans.
He will also be overseeing a massive military build-up promised by President Trump, which is expected to have a massive emphasis on shipbuilding. Hegseth will also be tasked with reversing a recruiting crisis that has seen every branch fall well short of recruiting goals in recent years.
