Republican lawmakers celebrated after the Senate narrowly confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary on Friday.
The Senate was split 50-50, with three Republicans — Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. — joined Democrats in opposing Hegseth’s confirmation, forcing the vice president JD Vance cast the deciding vote.
After Hegseth was confirmed, Republican lawmakers praised him as a “change agent” who has a “passion for the fighter.”
“Pete served in the Army National Guard as a front-line officer and has a sharp intellect and passion for the warfighter,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS.C., wrote on social media platform X.
PETE HEGSETH CONFIRMED TO LEAD THE PENTAGON AFTER VP VANCE VOTE TO LEAVE
Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“He did an excellent job during a very contentious hearing and withstood all the attacks that came his way,” Graham added. “He is committed to building a bigger, deadlier military and is clear about America’s enemies, including Iran. Israel will have no better friend than Pete Hegseth.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he was “proud to vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.”
“He is the change agent that the Department of Defense desperately needs,” Cruz said.
Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin said, “We did it, America.”
“It was an honor to fight with my friend and your main deputy: @PeteHegseth,” he wrote. “The Hegseth family is the best!!”
“Hell yes! @PeteHegseth is the man for the job,” said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. “I’m honored to have voted for him. We just confirmed him as the next Secretary of Defense.”
Senator Roger Marshall wrote: “Congratulations to @PeteHegseth, our new Secretary of Defense! Pete will bring transformative change, refocusing our military on lethality and recruiting efforts. I can’t wait to see what a great job he will do.”
“Pete Hegseth is perfectly suited to make our military great again and achieve peace through strength,” wrote Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. “I was honored to support his nomination and look forward to seeing him restore confidence in the Department of Defense by prioritizing warfighters over bureaucrats.”
MCCONNELL VOTED NO TO HEGSETH AS HEAD OF THE PENTAGON, FORCING VANCE TO DECIDE TIEBREAKER
Pete Hegseth at the conclusion of his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., congratulated Hegseth on his confirmation and said “Every brave soldier and every American is safer with you at the helm of the Pentagon. America’s strength is BACK!”
“Congratulations to our NEW Secretary of Defense,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.
Democrats, meanwhile, have questioned Hegseth’s credentials lead the Pentagon in front of your certificate.
“Is Pete Hegseth — who failed to manage the finances of veterans’ nonprofit groups, who drove his organizations into debt to the point where he couldn’t even pay creditors — really the person Republicans want in charge of the Pentagon budget?” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., wrote on X before the vote.
Schumer also asked, “Is Pete Hegseth really the best Republican to run the largest military in the world?”
“Our troops deserve better than someone as erratic and unqualified as Pete Hegseth,” he added.
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said: “We deserve a defense secretary with solid experience, sound judgment and good character. Pete Hegseth doesn’t meet the test.”
Pete Hegseth during the confirmation hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, faced questions before his confirmation about his infidelity, allegations of sexual abuse and heavy drinking, his previous comments against women serving in combat roles in the army and his leadership abilities.
Married three times, Hegseth admitted he was a “serial cheater” before becoming a Christian and marrying his now-wife Jenny. He also originally said he opposed women in combat, before later saying he only opposed standards for women in combat that were different from men. Hegseth further denied allegations of sexual assault and said he would abstain from alcohol as defense secretary.
