Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for US defence secretary, was confirmed by the Senate late on Friday night, after facing misconduct allegations that almost derailed his confirmation.
The newly inaugurated US Vice-President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in Hegseth’s favour, after three Republican senators – including former Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell – voted against him.
During Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, he faced multiple questions about claims of sexual assault, –which he denied, as well as infidelity and drinking.
The former combat veteran and one-time Fox News television host will now be overseeing a department of about three million employees and a $849bn (£695bn) budget.
Four Republicans would have needed to join the 47 Democratic and independent senators who voted against Hegseth for his nomination to be rejected.
McConnell’s surprise vote left the US Senate in a 50-50 deadlock before Vice President Vance arrived to cast the tie-breaker.
Explaining his vote, McConnell issued a bruising statement saying Pete Hegseth was not ready to lead a vast department of three million people while managing a huge budget and co-ordinating with global allies.
The US Vice President Vance had in confirming Hegseth, however, become the second vice-president in US history to break a tie to confirm a cabinet nominee. Trump’s first term vice-president, Mike Pence, became the first when he cast the deciding vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as education secretary in 2017.
Democratic senators have all questioned Hegseth, – a military veteran– about his qualifications to lead one of the nation’s largest agencies but several Republicans, including President Trump, have maintained their support for Hegseth.
Hegseth, 44, a veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, later worked at Fox News. He has little knowledge of the traditional experience expected for a national security cabinet position – a role that is usually filled by senior civil servants, experienced politicians, generals and high-level executives.
Hegseth’s confirmation process was overshadowed by allegations of misconduct. He was accused of sexually assaulting an unnamed women in 2017 in a Monterey, California, hotel room. The new has denied the accusation repeatedly.
The newly confirmed defence secretary also faced allegations of excessive drinking, including at work events, and infidelity in his previous two marriages.
“I am not a perfect person, but redemption is real,” he said during the hearing.
Earlier this week, prior to his confirmation, Hegseth got accused of alcohol and spousal abuse in a sworn affidavit given to a congressional committee by his former sister-in-law. Hegseth’s lawyer denied the allegations.
