Pete Hegsetth, candidate Donald Trump for US Minister of Defense, confirmed the Senate late Friday night, after facing the non -infectious accusations that almost destroyed his certificate.
Vice -President JD Vance gave voting in favor of Hegseth, after voting three Republican senators against him, including the former leader of the Senate majority of Mitch McConnell.
During Hegseth’s certificate hearing, he faced more questions about Sexual assaultwhich he denied, as well as infidelity and drink.
The former fighter veteran and one -off Fox News host will monitor the department for around three million employees and an budget of $ 849 billion (£ 695 billion).
Four Republicans should join 47 democratic and independent senators who voted against Hegseth to be defeated by his nomination.
McConnell’s surprise vote left a Senate in 50-50 stalls before Vance arrived to throw a break.
Vance is only another vice -president in American history who has interrupted the relationship to confirm the nominated cabinet. Trump’s previous VP, Mike Pence, became the first when he broke up to confirm Betsy Devos as Minister of Education in 2017.
“War struggle, deadlyness, meritocracy, standards and willingness. That’s it. That’s my job,” Hegsetth said during a certificate at the beginning of this month.
Democratic senators questioned Hegsetth, a military veterans, about his qualifications to run one of the largest agencies in the country.
Hegsetth (44), a veteran of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, later worked in Fox. There are little traditional experience that is expected to position the National Security Cabinet – the role usually fulfilled by high civil servants, experienced politicians, generals and high -level managers.
Hegsetth also asked during hearing, especially women’s senators, about his previous comments that women should not serve in combat roles. He replied that his concern was not a woman who served in the fight, but in the maintenance of a particular standard in the US army.
His confirmation procedure is overshadowed by charges of misconduct. He is charged with sexual abuse of unnamed women in 2017 in the Monterey hotel room, California. The accusation has repeatedly denied.
The newly confirmed defense minister also faced accusations of excessive drinking, including work events and unbelief in his previous two marriages.
“I’m not the perfect person, but the purchase is real,” he said during the hearing.
Earlier this week, he was charged with abuse of alcohol and spouse in the oath of the Congress Committee’s statement by his former sister. Hegseth’s lawyer denied the charges.
But many Republicans, including Trump, retained their support for Hegseth.
For the Senator of Alaska Lisa Murkowski, a Republican who voted against confirmation on Friday, the accusations helped to run out of their voice.
In a statement published for days before voting, she said his past behavior, “shows a lack of judgment that does not belong to someone who will lead our armed forces.”
Meanwhile, Maine Susan Collins, Susan Collins, another Republican who voted against Hegsetth, said she was “worried that he had no experience and perspectives needed to succeed in business.”
