Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News personality and right-wing commentator, has been confirmed as US secretary of defense after Vice-President JD Vance cast the deciding vote in a 50-50 Senate tie. The confirmation, which took place on Friday, came despite a series of allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and controversial statements about women in combat and the military leadership.
Nearly all Senate Republicans backed Mr Hegseth, while every Democrat voted against him. Three Republican senators – Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – broke ranks and opposed his nomination, citing concerns about his personal history and inexperience.
Mr Hegseth, who had no prior experience running a large government department, faced intense scrutiny during his confirmation hearing. He declined to meet with Democratic members of the Senate armed services committee, a break with convention. When questioned by Democratic senators about allegations of sexual misconduct and public drunkenness, he repeatedly dismissed them as “anonymous smears”, and refused to answer directly.
His past writings and public statements also drew criticism. In his 2020 book, American Crusade, he described a looming conflict between “America versus the left”. He expressed support for military officials accused of war crimes and complained of “burdensome rules of engagement”. During his hearing, he promised to bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon and pledged to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Despite earlier doubts, key Republican figures eventually rallied behind him. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who initially questioned his nomination, said she would support him, citing commitments to audit the Pentagon and address sexual assault in the ranks. Mr Hegseth’s confirmation marks the beginning of his tenure at the head of the US military, a role that has traditionally been seen as nonpartisan.
