https://www.rt.com/news/611598-senate-confirms-hegseth-pentagon/Pete Hegseth confirmed as next Pentagon chief
US Vice President J.D. Vance has cast the decisive vote in favor of Donald Trump’s pick
The US Senate has confirmed army veteran and Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth as the next secretary of defense on Friday.
Hegseth received 50 votes in favor and 50 votes against his candidacy, after which Vice President J.D. Vance cast a tie-breaking vote, sealing his appointment to lead the Pentagon.
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell broke ranks and joined the Democrats in voting “no.”
Hegseth, who wrote a book about the need to restore “warrior culture,” has promised to boost combat-readiness and prestige of military service.
During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, he pledged to be “laser-focused on warfighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards and readiness.”
President Donald Trump said that Hegseth will be “a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace through Strength’ policy.”
Hegseth’s nomination was marred by accusations of sexual assault and heavy drinking. He has rejected the accusations of inappropriate behavior as “anonymous false claims” that were brought up to smear his character.
Some also argued that Hegseth lacks the necessary experience to lead the Pentagon. In a statement after Friday’s vote, McConnell claimed that Hegseth had failed to provide “a strategic vision” for countering America’s adversaries.
Hegseth defended his candidacy by insisting that he is the right man to transform the military. “It’s time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent,” he told the Senate.
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