WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the new defense secretary on Friday night after Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 tie.
President Donald Trump nominated Hegseth, a Princeton and Harvard-educated former combat veteran and former Fox News host, to lead the U.S. military.
“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,” Sen. Mitch McConnell said in a statement after voting “No!”
Hegseth faced accusations of alcohol abuse, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and tattoos associated with extremism. He denied the allegations.
Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, and Susan Collins, of Maine, joined McConnell in voting against Hegseth’s nomination.
I thought I was done voting in the senate 😂
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 25, 2025
This is a developing story.