Washington – veteran and former moderator of Fox News Pete Hegseth will be the next minister of defense after he was confirmed by a compact majority by the US Senate overdue Friday.
Vice President JD Vance gave the decisive voice for the break a 50-50 Unlanded after three Republican senators – Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, Susan Collins from Maine and Mitch McConnell from Kentucky – separated from the rest of the GOP to vote against Hegseth.
Every democratic and independent senator was also against Hegseth.
It was only the second time in the story that a vice president’s voice was necessary to overcome the patient situation with a cabinet candidate – and the first candidate was also nominated by President Donald Trump during his first term. In 2017, Vice President Mike Pence occupied Die Decisive vote For Betsy Devos as Minister of Education.
Hegseth, 44, was right in the middle of it several allegations With regard to alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement. He is also outraged because of earlier statements about women that serve in combat roles.
On Friday evening, Hegseth released a copy of a letter He sent the Republican senator of North Carolina, Thom Tillis, to answer detailed questions that Tillis had asked about the allegations. Tillis, who had not previously announced how he would vote, said On X that he “had the needed care” and would support Hegseth.
Hegseth’s confirmation followed A narrow procedural vote On Thursday, when Murkowski and Collins spoke together with Democrats and independent against a further development of his nomination.
Hegseth will now join Trump’s pool of cabinet confirmationsU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA director John Ratcliffe.
Last update 8:01 a.m., January 25, 2025
