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One of Donald Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks was narrowly confirmed by the US Senate to lead the Pentagon, despite allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse.
Pete Hegseth will become US defense secretary after the Senate voted 51-50 in his favor on Friday night, squeaking after Vice President JD Vance broke the tie.
Republican Senators Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joined Democrats in voting against Hegseth’s confirmation.
Hegseth survived a last-ditch effort by Democrats to block his confirmation after his former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, gave an affidavit accusing him of being so violent toward his ex-wife that she hidden in a closet out of fear for her safety. She also alleged that he had abused alcohol for years.
The former Fox News host is a departure from the typical defense secretary. His predecessor, Lloyd Austin, was a retired Army general who oversaw U.S. Central Command, which encompasses military operations in the Middle East.
A vocal opponent of the “arrow,” Hegseth has promised to bring back a “warrior” culture to the U.S. military as the Trump administration moves to eliminate federal government diversity initiatives.
He also said one of his priorities would be securing the U.S.-Mexico border. The Pentagon said Wednesday it would send an additional 1,500 active troops to the U.S. southern border, a 60% increase, on the president’s orders.
McConnell said he voted against Hegseth because the nominee lacks the “strategic vision” for how to address America’s biggest national security challenges.
Hegseth “provided no substantive observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines” and did not “articulate in detail a strategic vision for dealing” with China, McConnell said. The new Defense Secretary has also failed to demonstrate that he can effectively manage the Pentagon.
On Thursday, Murkowski said she couldn’t vote for him.”in good conscience“, while Collins said she was”not convinced that its stance on women serving in combat roles has changed.”
Before the vote, Trump told reporters Friday that he “was very surprised that Collins and Murkowski would do this,” adding that “Pete is a very, very good man.”
He also predicted that McConnell would also be a job: “Of course, Mitch is still a ‘no’, I guess.”
Trump shocked Washington and defense circles when he selected Hegseth, who served in the Army National Guard, for the role. It has since been dogged by allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, misogyny, sexism and racism.
Hegseth said in written responses to questions that he paid $50,000 to the woman who accused him of sexual assault in a California hotel room in 2017, according to Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Hegseth dismissed allegations about sexual assault, her character and her grooming for the Pentagon’s top job as a “smear campaign” during her Senate confirmation hearing last week. He also attempted to revise his previous statements on female soldiers, saying they would “have access to ground combat roles, given that standards remain high.”
In Air, Hegseth became known for speaking out against diversity, equity and inclusive initiatives. Dei’s policies in the military were “dividing the troops” and forcing “commanders to walk on eggshells,” Hegseth said during his hearing.
Senate confirmation fireworks could come when two other contentious nominees, Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard, are grilled by senators on January 29 and January 30, respectively. Ex-Democrats Kennedy was tapped for health secretary and Gabbard for director of national intelligence.
