Trump’s Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth confirmed by US Senate
The US Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation’s defence secretary on Friday in a dramatic late-night vote, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behaviour towards women.
Rarely has a cabinet nominee faced such wide-ranging concerns about his experience and behaviour as Hegseth, particularly for such a high-profile role atop the US military. But the Republican-led Senate was determined to confirm Hegseth, a former Fox News host and combat veteran who has vowed to bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon, rounding out President Donald Trump’s top national security Cabinet officials.
Vice-President J.D. Vance was on hand to cast a tiebreaking vote, unusual in the Senate for cabinet nominees, who typically win wider support. Hegseth himself was at the Capitol with his family.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Hegseth, as a veteran of the Army National Guard who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, “will bring a warrior’s perspective” to the top military job.
“Gone will be the days of woke distractions,” Thune said, referring to the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives being slashed across the federal government. “The Pentagon’s focus will be on war fighting.”
The Senate’s ability to confirm Hegseth despite a grave series of allegations against him will provide a measure of Trump’s political power and ability to get what he wants from the Republican-led Congress, and of the potency of the culture wars to fuel his agenda at the White House.