Vice President Vance Breaks Senate Tie To Confirm Pete Hegseth As Defense Secretary

The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense in a tight vote Friday, with Vice President JD Vance stepping in to break the 50-50 deadlock. Hegseth’s confirmation faced significant resistance, with all Senate Democrats and three Republicans—Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY)—opposing his nomination.

Throughout the confirmation process, Hegseth faced allegations related to past personal behavior, including accusations of infidelity and excessive drinking. Murkowski, a vocal critic, cited these concerns as well as his statements regarding women in combat roles as reasons for her opposition. Hegseth, however, dismissed the allegations, calling them politically motivated.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a key vote, ultimately supported Hegseth after reviewing his military record and commitment to modernizing the Pentagon. Tillis stated that he valued Hegseth’s first-hand experience as a combat veteran and his focus on military preparedness.

President Donald Trump, reacting to the confirmation, praised Hegseth’s dedication to reforming the Pentagon and restoring a focus on warfighting capability. Trump has prioritized removing DEI initiatives from military policies, a stance Hegseth has vowed to support.

Hegseth’s appointment comes amid broader leadership changes at the Pentagon, with the Trump administration making moves to replace senior officials who were aligned with previous policies promoting DEI.

While Hegseth’s confirmation was divisive, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s approval earlier in the week was unanimous, highlighting the stark contrast in Senate support for Trump’s nominees.