Posted on 01/25/25
| News Source: CNN
The Senate narrowly voted to confirm embattled Pete Hegseth as secretary of the Department of Defense, in a major win for President Donald Trump and his new administration.
Vice President JD Vance cast the 51-50 tie-breaking vote after former GOP Leader Mitch McConnell and GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined Democrats to oppose Hegseth’s nomination. It was just the second time in history that a vice president has broken a tie for a Cabinet nominee – the other being then-Vice President Mike Pence for Betsy DeVos’ 2017 confirmation to lead the Education Department.
Hegseth will be sworn in as the secretary of defense Saturday morning by the vice president at the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Hegseth’s confirmation process has been mired in allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse and financial mismanagement of veterans’ charities, all of which he has denied. The Friday vote marked a significant victory for the Trump administration, which has gone to the mat backing Hegseth as its nominee, despite his lack of experience and allegations against him.
Trump told reporters Friday night that he had called Hegseth from Marine One. Hegseth, who had been in the Senate Friday night to watch his confirmation vote, would “be a great secretary,” the president said.
“We just heard that we have a great secretary of defense – we’re very happy about that, we appreciate everyone’s vote,” Trump told reporters in an early celebration as Vance was on his way to the Senate.