The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense 51-50 Friday evening, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking the tie vote.
The vote came down on party lines, with the defections of Republican Sens. Susan Collins (I), Mitch McConnell (KY), and Lisa Murkowski (AK).
It was a long, drawn-out battle with Democrats and a coordinated smear campaign promoted by mainstream media. At one point, his nomination seemed doomed, with several key Republicans expressing doubts.
But the combat veteran and former Fox News host has launched his own campaign, spending weeks in Capitol Hill meetings with Republican senators to discuss their concerns.
Hegseth also met with Democratic senators, who made it clear they opposed his nomination from the beginning.
Democrats also tried to fight his nomination in a last-ditch effort by circulating an affidavit from an estranged former sister-in-law who claimed Hegseth abused his ex-wife, Samantha Dearing. .
Dearing denied NBC News, which first reported the affidavit. She said there was abuse during the marriage and she believes their information is not accurate.
However, the media outlet ran with allegations from former sister-in-law Danielle Dietrich, who had been divorced from Hegseth's brother since 2019.
The affidavit reportedly threatened support from Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who expressed reservations on Friday. He reportedly sought additional answers from Hegseth on Friday afternoon, hours before the expected vote.
With the vote underway, Hegseth posted a letter to Tillis addressing his concerns on x.
Hegseth could afford to lose the three Republican votes that would be confirmed with Vance's help.
Hegseth's allies cheered his confirmation.
Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project (A3P), which led the grassroots campaign against the Republican senator, said in a statement.
This Article III project resulted in another major confirmation victory for President Trump. Conventional wisdom in Washington said Pete Hegseth's nomination was dead on arrival. With our shocking media blitz and overwhelming grassroots campaign, A3P changed politics by giving senators an attitudinal adjustment.
Mark Lucas, A3P's executive vice president, added that he was a veteran of American officials who succeeded Hegseth and served with him in the 34th Infantry Division.
Pete Hegseth restores honor and dignity to our military by focusing on the fundamentals of combat. Heagesth earned two Bronze Star Medals as a combat leader in Afghanistan and Iraq. Trigger pullers love Pete Hegsett. Paper pushers hate him.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) – the leading senator who supported Heggs – said in a statement.
Peace Through Strength is back under President Trump and Pete Hegseth. Through many meetings with Mr. Hegseth and his aural performances, I discovered him to be a true patriot, a first-class communicator, and a future change agent who will bring much-needed reforms to the Pentagon.
At the most dangerous national security moment since World War II, we cannot wait another minute to rebuild our military and put our fighters first. I greatly appreciate Mr. Hegseth's commitment to the Senate's constitutional advice and honest process. And I'm excited to begin our shared work to bring deterrence back to the Pentagon.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who expressed doubts about Hegseth early on, said in a statement:
Pete serves in the Army National Guard as a front-line officer, and he has a keen intellect and a passion for warplanes. He did a great job in a very contentious hearing and withstood all the attacks that came his way. He is bullish on building a larger, more lethal military and has a clear eye on America's enemies, including Iran. Israel could not have had a better friend than Pete Hegseth.
“I look forward to working with Pete to make America strong and safe again,” he added.
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA), a fellow Army veteran, said in a statement:
President Trump needs his team of disruptors to deliver on his promise of change to the people of Pennsylvania and America. After meeting with Pete Hegseth and reviewing his testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Pete has my support.
Pete is a fellow combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, giving his life to protect America. I believe he will put male and female fighters first. He and President Trump can build a team to transform one of the world's most complex and important institutions and restore peace through strength.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) also released a statement, saying:
President Trump has vowed to restore America's dominance on the world stage and enact his beyond-peace agenda after years of weakness under Joe Biden. I am confident that my friend Pete Hegseth will play an invaluable role in carrying out that mission at a time when our country and our world need it most. With Pete at the helm, the status quo is shaken up and the warrior spirit is ultimately restored in the Pentagon.
Senate Minority Leader Jack Reed (D-RI) said he was adamantly opposed to Hegstes and would “ask for the opportunity” to work with him.
“Although I opposed his nomination, I respect the outcome of his confirmation. Still, I intend to see him look like a hawk. I, like previous secretaries of both parties, “We will point out where we disagree. We will demand accountability,” he said.
“My top priority has always been national security and partisanship has no place in that mission. I will always pick up the phone for Mr. Hegseth and work with the secretary to take any opportunity to strengthen and support our military. I’m looking for it,” he added.
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