Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial alternative for US defence secretary, has been confirmed for the job.
The 44-year-old ex-veteran and former Fox Information host narrowly secured the highest Pentagon submit with vp JD Vance casting the 51-50 tie-breaking vote.
Three Republican senators – Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky – joined Democrats to oppose his nomination.
It’s the second time in historical past a vp has damaged a tie for a cupboard nominee. In 2017, then vp Mike Pence was referred to as in to interrupt a tie to verify Mr Trump’s earlier choose of Betsy DeVos as schooling secretary.
Mr Trump praised Mr Hegseth shortly after the vote, saying he would make a “nice secretary of defence” in a submit on Reality Social.
Nevertheless, through the affirmation listening to, which was disrupted by three protesters, Mr Hegseth was accused of missing the competence for the job.
Hours earlier than the vote, Democrat after Democrat took to the Senate ground to object.
Senator Chris Murphy stated through the debate there are few Trump nominees as “dangerously and woefully unqualified as Hegseth”.
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Mr Hegseth is essentially the most divisive candidate to clinch the US navy’s high job.
He’s a controversial alternative due to previous statements and actions, together with allegations of sexual assault – which he has denied – extreme ingesting, and derisive views about ladies in navy fight roles.
However most Senate Republicans fell into line to defend Mr Hegseth.
Senate majority chief John Thune stated Mr Hegseth, as a veteran of the Military Nationwide Guard who served excursions in Iraq and Afghanistan, “will deliver a warrior’s perspective” to the submit.
Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the highest Democrat on the armed providers committee, nevertheless, stated in a press release he would watch the brand new defence secretary “like a hawk” and “demand accountability”.
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Mr Hegseth steps into the position as the brand new Trump administration has stated border safety and immigration will be a magnet for the US navy.
Little is understood about his views on key overseas coverage points corresponding to arming Ukraine, making ready the US navy for a possible battle with China, and whether or not he would search to cut back the nation’s footprint in locations together with Syria and Iraq.
Former president Joe Biden’s defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, was confirmed by a 93-2 vote in 2021, and Jim Mattis, Mr Trump’s first defence secretary in his final administration, was confirmed by a 98-1 vote in 2017.
