Newly-confirmed Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth obtained robust reward from President Trump and different Republicans following a nail-biting Senate vote Friday evening that may see him take command of the Pentagon.
“Congratulations to Pete Hegseth,” Trump wrote on Fact Social after the Senate voted 51-50 to make the Military veteran and former Fox Information host the chief of the nation’s armed forces.
“He will make a great Secretary of Defense!”
Three Republican senators – Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky – joined all 47 Democrats to oppose Trump’s nominee, forcing Vice President JD Vance to forged the tie-breaking vote.
“I thought I was done voting in the senate,” Vance quipped on X with a tears of pleasure emoji.
Hegseth, a retired Military main and fierce critic of “woke” navy initiatives, was among the many most controversial of Trump’s cupboard appointments as a result of allegations of private misconduct – together with sexual assault, monetary mismanagement and binge-drinking on the job.
The 44-year-old additionally drew ire from Democratic officers concerning previous statements he’s made about girls serving within the navy, publicly declaring after the November election that girls shouldn’t serve in fight roles.
Regardless of the criticism, the vast majority of Republicans stood behind him.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) mentioned he was “very pleased” to see Hegseth confirmed and appears ahead to working with him to “make America strong and secure once again.”
“Pete has served in the Army National Guard as a front line officer, and he has a keen intellect and a passion for the warfighter,” Graham posted on social media.
“He did an excellent job during a very contentious hearing and withstood all the attacks that came his way. He is bullish on creating a larger, more lethal military and is clear-eyed about America’s enemies, including Iran. Israel will have no better friend than Pete Hegesth.”
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) celebrated the affirmation on the social media platform, stating that she is wanting ahead to working with Hegseth to “restore peace through strength” to assist the nation’s service members.
“Congrats Mr. Secretary,” Republican Whip John Thune (R-South Dakota) posted on X with an American flag emoji and images of him hugging Hegseth.
“Tonight, I was proud to vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) posted to X.
“He is the change agent that the DOD desperately needs. Let’s go to work.”
Donald Trump’s son, Donald Jr., and Megyn Kelly additionally commemorated the affirmation, with each lauding the supporting vote as an ideal day for America and its armed forces.
Democrats, however, decried the choice to verify Hegseth, who has served excursions of obligation in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.
“Pete Hegseth’s confirmation will make our nation less safe,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) posted on X.
“It is a sad and dangerous day when Republican Senators put loyalty to President Trump ahead of our national security.”
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY) mentioned the navy deserves somebody higher, describing Hegseth as “erratic and unqualified.”
“Hegseth has defended war criminals & rejected international law,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) posted on X previous to the vote.
“He’s a prominent advocate for privatizing the VA. He was forced to step down from leading two advocacy groups after repeated allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual harassment & alcohol abuse. I’m voting NO.”
McConnell additionally defended his choice to vote in opposition to occasion traces, calling the place of protection secretary essentially the most consequential cupboard official in any administration with the results of failure increased than they’ve ever been.
“In his testimony before the Committee, Mr. Hegseth 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,” McConnell mentioned in a prolonged assertion that ended with him wishing Hegseth “great success”
“He failed, for that matter, to articulate in any detail a strategic vision for dealing with the gravest long-term threat emanating from the PRC. Absent, too, was any substantive discussion of countering our adversaries’ alignment with deeper alliance relationships and more extensive defense industrial cooperation of our own.”
