Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and right-wing commentator known for opposing women in combat roles, advocating for a military purge of generals, and facing allegations of sexual assault and alcoholism, has been confirmed as secretary of defense. His confirmation came after Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the
Hegseth’s nomination received strong backing from nearly the entire Republican conference, while every Senate Democrat opposed it, resulting in a 50-50 split.
Three Republican senators—Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—broke ranks to vote against him. Collins and Murkowski had previously expressed concerns over his personal history and lack of experience, considering them disqualifying factors.
Hegseth was among the most scrutinized nominees for Donald Trump’s cabinet, particularly due to allegations of sexual assault and workplace misconduct that surfaced in the past two months.
Following Trump’s announcement of Hegseth as his defense secretary pick, experts on extremism raised alarms over his apparent association with far-right symbols, pointing out that his tattoo sleeve included at least two images linked to far-right and neo-Nazi groups.
Additionally, Hegseth has publicly complained that the U.S. Army declined his service during Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration after a fellow servicemember identified him as a potential insider threat.
In his highly partisan 2020 book, American Crusade, Hegseth warned of looming factional violence in the U.S., portraying the left as an existential threat to the nation.
“You must be thinking, ‘Pete, you laid this out in pretty simple terms. Us versus them. America versus the left. Good versus evil. You’re overplaying your hand. It’s not that bad,’” Hegseth wrote. “Read on, and think again.”
Before his confirmation hearings, Hegseth refused to meet with Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, raising concerns about his ability to lead the Department of Defense in a nonpartisan manner.
During his confirmation hearing on January 14, New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen noted that, since she joined the committee in 2011, every previous nominee had met with her and fellow Democratic senators beforehand. She questioned Hegseth’s decision not to do the same.
Pete Hegseth
Skepticism over Hegseth’s nomination grew among some Republican senators after reports detailing allegations of his excessive drinking and belligerent behavior in the workplace.
During the hearing, Hegseth refused to directly answer questions about his conduct. When Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona pressed him about allegations of sexual misconduct and public drunkenness, Hegseth repeatedly responded with the phrase: “anonymous smears.”
“All anonymous, all false, all refuted by my colleagues who I’ve worked with for 10 years,” Hegseth said when Kelly pushed him to address accusations of alcoholism.
Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin later questioned whether he would refuse unconstitutional orders and if he would decline to deploy the military against U.S. civilians. Hegseth avoided a direct response, instead stating, “I reject the premise” of the questions.
When asked about his past support for three military officials accused of war crimes, Hegseth acknowledged that the Geneva Conventions were “the law of the land,” but criticized what he described as “burdensome rules of engagement” imposed by human rights laws.
Hegseth also vowed to instill a “warrior culture” in the Department of Defense and reaffirmed his commitment to dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the military.
Despite initial concerns from some within the Republican Party, Trump’s allies rallied behind Hegseth, and opposition to his nomination within GOP ranks dissipated.
Even Iowa Senator Joni Ernst—a combat veteran and survivor of sexual assault who had initially expressed doubts about Hegseth’s nomination—ultimately endorsed him following the confirmation hearing.
In a statement, Ernst pledged to “work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force” while holding him accountable for commitments such as auditing the Pentagon, maintaining high standards for women in combat, and appointing a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the military.
The Senate confirmed Hegseth late Friday, and he was sworn into office by Vice President Vance on Saturday morning.
Shortly after, Hegseth released a statement on the U.S. Department of Defense’s website, calling his appointment “the privilege of a lifetime” and pledging to restore the military’s “warrior ethos.”
“All of this will be done with a focus on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, standards, and readiness,” Hegseth’s statement read.
