Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as defense secretary by a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote that was needed when three Republicans, including Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) voted against him.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also voted against Hegseth, joining the chamber’s Democrats in opposition.
McConnell, the former Senate minority leader who now chairs the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee, released a statement wishing Hegseth the best of luck as defense secretary but also said the nominee, who is an Army National Guard veteran, lacked the experience to garner his vote.
“Effective management of nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with staggering consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests,” he said. “Mr. Hegseth has failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test.”
McConnell also said Hegseth during his confirmation hearing failed “to articulate in any detail a strategic vision for dealing with the gravest long-term threat emanating from” China and provided “no substantial observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against a Chinese attack, or even whether he believes the United States should do so.”
The tight vote puts Hegseth in the job of defense secretary by the narrowest margin in modern history. The nominees for the post are typically approved by bipartisan consensus.
The closest comparison to Hegseth’s vote is that of Chuck Hagel, who was confirmed 58-41. Lloyd Austin, meanwhile, was confirmed by 93 votes, Mark Esper with 90 and Jim Mattis with 98.
Hegseth has come under fire for a variety of misconduct allegations, including sexual assault, excessive drinking, financial mismanagement and -- most recently -- domestic abuse. Hegseth has denied all the allegations.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) released a statement touting his support of Hegseth.
“Peace through strength is back under President Trump and Pete Hegseth,” Wicker said. “Through my many meetings with Mr. Hegseth and his hearing performance, I have found him to be a true patriot, a top-shelf communicator and a prospective change agent who will bring much-needed reform to the Pentagon.”
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the committee’s ranking member, released a statement vowing to watch Hegseth “like a hawk.”
“This is who President Trump handpicked and 50 Republicans supported, knowing full well of his past misconduct,” Reed said. “Now he is assuming one of the most consequential jobs in the world, and I fervently hope he is up to the task and will be a responsible, effective leader at the Pentagon.”
A nominee from Trump’s previous term, Betsy DeVos for education secretary, also needed a vice presidential tie-breaking vote, making her in 2017 the first cabinet nominee to ever require one. Hegseth is now the second.