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Senate Votes to Confirm Hegseth to Lead Pentagon
Charlie Kirk Staff
01/24/2025
The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation’s secretary of defense. The contentious nomination process highlighted concerns about Hegseth’s ability to lead the Department of Defense by leftists, but Republican lawmakers pushed through the confirmation, prioritizing their support for President Donald Trump’s pick to reshape the Pentagon.
Hegseth, a former combat veteran, has promised to instill a “warrior culture” within the U.S. military. His confirmation fills a key national security role in Trump’s Cabinet, despite rare dissent within Republican ranks. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, an unusual move for a Cabinet nomination, as Hegseth and his family awaited the decision at the Capitol.
“We have a great secretary of defense and we’re very happy,” Trump declared while boarding Air Force One after touring wildfire damage in California. Addressing opposition from GOP stalwarts like Sen. Mitch McConnell, Trump dismissed their concerns, saying, “The important thing is winning.”
Hegseth’s confirmation marks only the second time a vice president has broken a tie for a Cabinet nominee. Former Vice President Mike Pence cast a similar vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as education secretary during Trump’s first term.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Hegseth’s military background, highlighting his service in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the Army National Guard. “He will bring a warrior’s perspective to the Pentagon,” Thune said, adding that Hegseth’s leadership would end “woke distractions” and refocus the military on warfighting.
