The Senate on Friday evening narrowly confirmed Pete Hegseth as the new secretary of defense with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie breaking vote.
Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon was approved largely along party lines while three Republicans, Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), joined all Democrats in voting against confirmation having cited concerns with the sexual assault allegations he’s faced and his prior comments against women serving in combat roles.
Army veteran and Fox News host Hegseth was considered an unconventional pick for Trump’s defense secretary, where he is now tasked with overseeing the country’s largest employer and leading the Department of Defense as it navigates competition with China and the continued conflict in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion remains ongoing.
Hegseth at his confirmation hearing offered his views on Pentagon acquisition reform, stating he would focus on increasing competition and eliminating the so-called ‘Valley of Death’ for startups and Silicon Valley firms.
A version of this story was first published by Exchange Monitor affiliate Defense Daily.
