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One of Donald Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks has been narrowly confirmed to head the Pentagon by the US Senate despite allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse.
Pete Hegsoth will become US defense secretary after the Senate voted 51-50 in his favor late Friday, with Vice President JD Vance holding out after a tie was broken.
Republican Senators Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joined Democrats in voting against Hegseth’s confirmation.
Hegseth gave a sworn statement accusing his ex-brother-in-law Daniel Hegseth of being so abusive to his ex-wife that he survived a last-ditch effort by Democrats to block his confirmation. Hide a closet Out of fear for his safety. He also alleged that he had been abusing alcohol for years.
The former Fox News host is on his way out as secretary of defense. His predecessor, Lloyd Austin, was a retired Army general who oversaw US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East.
A vocal opponent of Hegseth’s “awakening,” Hegseth has vowed to return a “warrior” culture to the U.S. military as the Trump administration scraps diversity initiatives in the federal government.
He also said one of his priorities is securing the US-Mexico border. The Pentagon said on Wednesday that it would send an additional 1,500 active duty troops to the southern border of the United States under the president’s order.
McConnell said he voted against Hegseth because the nominee lacked “strategic vision” for how to address the United States’ biggest national security challenges.
McConnell said Hegseth “did not provide any significant observations about how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines” and did not “articulate any details of the strategic approach to dealing with China. The incoming defense secretary also failed to demonstrate that he can effectively manage the Pentagon.”
On Thursday, Murkowski said she could not vote for him.in good conscience”, while Collins said he was “don’t believe His stance on women serving in combat roles has changed”.
Ahead of the vote, Trump told reporters on Friday that he was “very surprised that Collins and Murkowski would do this”, adding that “Pete is a very, very good man”.
He also expected McConnell to hold on: “Of course, Mitch is always a ‘no’ vote, I guess.”
Trump Washington and defense circles were stunned That’s when he chose Hegsoth, who had served in the Army National Guard, for the role. He has been ever since Dog by complaint Sexual harassment, alcohol abuse, misogyny, sexism and racism.
Hegsoth said in a written reply to the questions $50,000 According to Senator Elizabeth Warren, in 2017 to a woman accused of sexual assault in a California hotel room.
Hegsoth has dismissed allegations of sexual harassment, his character and preparations for a top Pentagon job as a “smear campaign” in the Senate. Confirmation hearing last week He also sought to correct his earlier statements about female soldiers, saying they would have “access to ground combat roles” because of “higher standards”.
On air Hegseth became known for denouncing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Hegseth told his hearing, the military’s DI policies “divided the army” and “forced commanders to walk on the ovaries”.
More Senate confirmation fireworks could come when two more controversial Cabinet nominees, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, are grilled by senators on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30, respectively. Both former Democrats, Kennedy has been tapped as health secretary and Gabbard as director of national intelligence.
