Vice President Vance Casts Deciding Vote To Confirm Pete Hegseth As Defense Secretary

The Senate narrowly confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense on Friday night after Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote. Hegseth’s confirmation was met with resistance, with all Democrats and three Republicans—Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY)—opposing his nomination, resulting in a 51-50 final vote.

Hegseth, a former Army officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, faced scrutiny over past allegations of misconduct, including accusations of infidelity and excessive drinking. Murkowski cited these concerns as key reasons for her opposition, questioning his ability to lead the nation’s military. Hegseth denied the accusations, and his ex-wife refuted claims of abuse.

Despite the controversy, Hegseth’s supporters, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), highlighted his military experience and commitment to modernizing the armed forces. Tillis stated that after conducting his own evaluation, he found Hegseth’s plans for the Pentagon aligned with President Trump’s national defense goals.

Hegseth has pledged to focus on eliminating DEI initiatives within the military, arguing that such programs undermine combat effectiveness. His confirmation signals a shift toward policies aimed at reinforcing traditional military values and combat readiness.

Following the vote, President Trump congratulated Hegseth on social media, calling him a “strong leader” who will restore focus to the armed forces.

The Senate confirmation process underscored deep divisions in Congress, with the unanimous approval of Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier in the week highlighting the stark contrast in support between the two nominations.