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One of Donald Trump’s most controversial Cabinet appointees was narrowly confirmed by the US Senate to lead the Pentagon, despite allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse.
Pete Hegseth will become US Secretary of Defense after the Senate voted 51-50 in his favor late Friday night after 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, issued a sworn statement accusing him of being so abusive to his ex-wife that she hidden in a closet out of fear for their safety. She also claimed 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 includes military operations in the Middle East.
A vocal opponent of “wokesess,” Hegseth has vowed to bring a “warrior” culture back to the U.S. military as the Trump administration eliminates the federal government’s diversity initiatives.
He also said one of his priorities is securing the U.S.-Mexico border. The Pentagon said Wednesday it would send an additional 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S. southern border by 60 percent, following the president’s orders.
McConnell said he voted against Hegseth because the nominee lacks the “strategic vision” to address the U.S.’s biggest national security challenges.
Hegseth “provided no substantive observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines” and “did not articulate in any detail a strategic vision for dealing with China,” McConnell said. The incoming defense secretary also failed to show that he can effectively manage the Pentagon.
On Thursday, Murkowski said she couldn’t vote for him. “With a clear conscience“While Collins said she was”not convinced That his position on women serving in combat roles has changed. “
Before the vote, Trump told reporters on Friday that he was “very surprised that Collins and Murkowski would do this,” adding that “Pete is a very, very good man.”
He also expected McConnell to be a stamina as well: “Of course Mitch is always a ‘no’ vote, I think.”
Trump shocked Washington and defense circles When he chose Hegseth, who served in the Army National Guard, for the role. He has been ever since dogged by accusations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, misogyny, sexism and racism.
Hegseth said in written answers to questions 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 the sexual assault allegations, his character and his readiness for the top Pentagon job as a “smear campaign” in his Senate Confirmation Hearing Last week. He also sought to revise his previous statements about female soldiers, saying they had “access to ground combat roles as standards remain high.”
On Air Hegseth became known for denouncing diversity, equity and inclusive initiatives. The DEI policy in the military was “dividing troops” and “making commanders walk on eggshells,” Hegseth said at his confirmation hearing.
More Senate confirmation fireworks could come when two other controversial Cabinet nominees, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, are grilled by senators on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30, respectively. Both ex-Democrats, Kennedy was tapped for health secretary and Gabbard for director of national intelligence.
