Pete Hegseth confirmed as Trumps defense secretary, with JD Vance breaking tie

Pete Hegseth, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran and former Fox News host who promised to “return the Pentagon to the warfighters,” was confirmed as President Trump’s defense secretary in a dramatic Friday night Senate vote.The Senate voted 51-50 making Hegseth, 44, the leader of the nation’s armed forces, with three Republicans — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky — joining all 47 Democrats to oppose the appointment.JD Vance was forced to become only the second vice president in US history to cast a tie-breaking vote for a cabinet official.

Former Vice President Mike Pence helped confirm Education Secretary Betsy Devos by offering the final vote in 2017.Sen.Thom Tillis (R-NC) had wavered in his support for Trump’s nominee in the final moments leading up to the vote — but issued an 11th hour statement from the floor that Hegseth had his full support after he “conducted … due diligence” on the nom.Tillis said he had asked “tough questions of Pete and I appreciated his candor and openness in answering them.” Hegseth shared a full copy of the letter he sent to the North Carolina Republican’s office at about the same time, which included a rebuttal of spousal abuse allegations from his former sister-in-law.Hegseth, a retired Army major and fierce critic of “woke” military initiatives, was among the most controversial of Trump’s cabinet appointments due to allegations of personal misconduct — including sexual assault.Despite the criticism, Trump had stood by Hegseth’s nomination, insisting that an outsider was needed to shake up the Pentagon.On Thursday, lawmakers had voted 51-49 to end debate on Hegseth’s nomination, with Collins and Murkowski voting to block it — citing the allegations of sexual misconduct as well of alcohol abuse by the Trump pick, as well as his lack of government experience and his past comments opposing women serving in combat roles.“I remain concerned abou...