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Republican lawmakers celebrated after the Senate narrowly confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary.
The Senate was split 50-50, with three Republicans: Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. – Join the Democrats to oppose Hegseth’s confirmation, forcing the vice president JD Vance to cast the tie-breaking vote.
After Hegseth was confirmed, GOP lawmakers praised him as a “change agent” who has a “passion for the Warfighter.”
“Pete has served in the Army National Guard as a front-line officer and has an intense intellect and a passion for war,” wrote Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rs.C.
Pete Hegseth confirmed to lead Pentagon after VP Vance cast tie votes
Pete Hegseth testifies during Senate Armed Services Confirmation on Capitol Hill January 14, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“He did an excellent job during a very contentious hearing and withstood all the attacks that came his way,” Graham added. “He is bullish on building a bigger, deadlier military and has a clear eye on America’s enemies, including Iran. Israel will have no better friend than Pete Hegseth.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he was “proud to vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.”
“He is the change agent that DOD desperately needs,” Cruz said.
Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin said, “We did it, America.”
“It was an honor to be in the fray with my friend and your Secdef: @PeteHegseth,” he wrote. “The Hegseth family is the best!!”
“Heck yes! @PeteHegseth is the man for the job,” said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. “I’m honored to have voted for him. We just confirmed him as the next secretary of defense.”
Senator Roger Marshall wrote: “Congratulations to @PeteHegseth, our new Secretary of Defense! Pete will bring transformative change, refocusing our military on lethality and recruiting efforts. I can’t wait to see what a great job he will do.”
“Pete Hegseth is the perfect fit to restore our military and achieve peace through strength,” wrote Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. “It was an honor to support his nomination and I look forward to seeing him restore confidence in the Department of Defense by prioritizing warfighters over bureaucrats.”
McConnell did not vote for Hegseth as Pentagon chief, forcing Vance to issue a tiebreaker
Pete Hegseth at the end of his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., congratulated Hegseth on his confirmation, saying “all brave service members and all Americans are safer with leadership at the Pentagon. America’s strength he’s back!”
“Congratulations to our new Secretary of Defense,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.
Meanwhile, Democrats questioned Hegseth’s credentials a He runs the Pentagon before its confirmation.
“Pete Hegseth, who failed to manage the finances of veterans’ non-profit groups, drove their organizations into debt to the point where they couldn’t even pay creditors, really the person Republicans want in office Pentagon budget?” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote about X before the vote.
Schumer also asked, “Is Pete Hegseth really the best Republican to run the world’s largest military?”
“Our troops deserve better than someone as misguided and unqualified as Pete Hegseth,” he added.
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said: “We deserve a defense secretary with solid experience, sound judgment and good character. Pete Hegseth doesn’t meet the test.”
Pete Hegseth during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, had faced questions ahead of his confirmation about his infidelity, allegations of sexual assault and heavy drinking, his previous comments opposing women who served in fulfill Combat roles in the army and their leadership skills.
Married three times, Hegseth has admitted he was a “serial cheater” before he became a Christian and married his current wife, Jenny. He also originally said he opposed women in combat, before saying he only opposes different standards for women in combat than men. Hegseth has also denied allegations of sexual assault and said he would abstain from alcohol as defense secretary.
