The United States Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the new secretary of defense in a 50-50 vote with all Democrats, independents, and three Republican senators voting "no". Hegseth secured enough votes only after Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in his favor.
Hegseth served on active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and was also deployed to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. He became a Fox News contributor upon returning to civilian life.
As the chief of the Pentagon, Hegseth will succeed Lloyd Austin who served as defense secretary from 2021 to 2025, throughout the term of former President Joe Biden. His confirmation faced uncertainty due to the controversy arising from sexual misconduct allegations against him.
