Pete Hegseth — a former Fox Information persona who has been accused of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, mismanaging two nonprofits he helmed, and a litany of different indiscretions — has been confirmed as america Secretary of Protection. Hegseth, who promised senators he would cease ingesting if given the keys to the Pentagon, can be tasked with managing the nation’s army and its 2.8 million workers.
“He’s a very good man,” President Donald Trump mentioned of Hegseth whereas chatting with reporters Friday morning. “Pete is a really, superb man.”
Hegseth was confirmed in a 50-50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking the tie. Each Senate Democrat and solely three Republicans — Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and in a final minute shock, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — opposed Hegseth’s nomination. The GOP’s features within the chamber final November meant Hegseth may afford to lose three Republican votes and nonetheless take the Pentagon’s prime job. Some believed Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) might be the deciding fourth vote after McConnell made it three, however he finally voted to verify, placing Hegseth’s destiny within the vp’s arms.
“I believed I used to be accomplished voting within the Senate,” Vance wrote on X after the vote completed. Vance resigned as a senator from Ohio earlier this month forward of his affirmation as vp.
McConnell issued a prolonged assertion explaining his determination after the vote wrapped. “Efficient administration of practically 3 million army and civilian personnel, an annual price range of practically $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships all over the world is a each day take a look at with staggering penalties for the safety of the American individuals and our international pursuits,” he wrote. “Mr. Hegseth has failed, as but, to display that he’ll move this take a look at.”
Murkowksi and Collins each issued statements on Thursday.
Murkowski famous that Hegseth’s “prior roles in his profession don’t display to me that he’s ready for such immense duty,” referencing the “accusations of monetary mismanagement and issues with the office tradition he fostered” on the two veterans teams he ran. Murkowski additionally cited Hegseth’s feedback opposing girls serving within the army, the allegations of sexual assault and extreme ingesting, and his admitted infidelity. “Women and men in uniform are held accountable for such actions, they usually deserve leaders who uphold these identical requirements,” Murkowski wrote.
Collins didn’t cite the sexual assault or alcohol abuse allegations in her assertion, however did word his feedback about girls within the army and considerations that he doesn’t have “the administration expertise and background” the place requires. “Mr. Hegseth additionally seems to lack a ample appreciation for among the insurance policies that the army is required to comply with,” Collins added, noting America’s codified “prohibitions in opposition to torture.”
The factors Murkowski and Collins outlined have been the topic of a media firestorm since Trump’s announcement final month that he wished Hegseth to run the army.
Hegseth has been accused of rampant alcohol abuse; cultivating a poisonous, sexist office whereas main a veterans group; drunkenly yelling “Kill all Muslims!” whereas on a piece journey; drunkenly speeding the stage at a strip membership whereas out with coworkers; botching the funds of each veterans teams he led; and being an “abuser of girls” who “belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps round, and makes use of girls for his personal energy and ego” (the quotes had been from Hegseth’s mom). Hegseth was additionally the topic of a disturbing sexual assault allegation in 2017. Hegseth claims the encounter — which happened whereas he was nonetheless married, weeks after he had a child together with his mistress (whom he would later marry) — was consensual. He revealed in a Senate questionnaire that he paid the accuser $50,000 to maintain quiet concerning the incident.
It appeared at occasions as if Hegseth’s nomination may be in hassle — however he dug in and blamed the media lengthy sufficient for Republicans to rationalize supporting him. It’s unlikely many if not many of the senators who voted for him really consider he’s certified for the job, although.
Hegseth’s affirmation is essentially the most terrifying testomony but of the diploma to which Congress is in thrall to Trump, moderately than to america. Republican lawmakers are there at his pleasure, and they’ll do his bidding whatever the injury it could trigger to the nation they’ve pledged to serve. Trump wished Hegseth, and the Senate largely abdicated their responsibility to “recommendation and consent” as a way to ship him.
