Former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as the U.S. defense secretary, accused of sexual assault, alcoholism, mismanagement of two nonprofits he headed, and a host of other misdeeds. Hegseth promised the senators he would stop drinking if given the keys to the Pentagon, where he would be responsible for running the nation's military and its 2.8 million employees.
"He's a good guy," President Donald Trump said of Hegseth during an interview with reporters Friday morning. "Pete is a very, very good man."
Hegseth was confirmed in a 50-50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking the tie. All Democrats and just three Republicans in the Senate — Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and, in a last-minute surprise, Mitch McConnell (Republican, Ky.) – both opposed Hegseth’s nomination. Republican gains in the House last November mean Hegseth could afford to lose three Republican votes and still hold the top Pentagon job. Some thought Republican Sen. Thom Tillis could be the decisive fourth vote, following McConnell's third vote, but he ultimately voted to confirm, sealing Hegseth's fate. into the hands of the Vice President.
"I thought I had voted on the Senate floor," Vance wrote on the X after the vote. Vance resigned as an Ohio senator earlier this month and was subsequently confirmed as vice president.
After the vote, McConnell issued a lengthy statement explaining his decision. "Effective management of nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test for the security of the American people and our global interests," he wrote. The consequences have been astonishing. "Mr. Heggs has so far failed to prove that he can pass this test."
Murcox and Collins both issued statements Thursday.
Murkowski noted that Hegseth's "previous roles in his career did not indicate to me that he was ready to take on a responsibility of this magnitude," citing "poor financial management" at two veterans groups he managed. and allegations of workplace culture issues he fostered." Murkowski also cited Hegseth's comments against women in the military, allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, and his admitted infidelity. "Men and women in uniform are responsible for such behavior, and they deserve leaders who uphold these same standards," Murkowski wrote.
Collins did not mention sexual assault or alcohol abuse allegations in his statement, but did mention his comments about women in the military and concerns that he did not have the "management experience and background" required for the position. "Mr. Hegseth also appears to lack adequate knowledge of some of the policies that the military must abide by," Collins added, noting that the United States has a written prohibition on torture.
The views outlined by Murkowski and Collins have been the subject of heated discussion in the media since Trump announced last month that he wanted Hegers to run the military.
Hegseth was accused of rampant alcoholism; creating a toxic, sexist workplace while leading a veterans group; drunkenly shouting "Kill all Muslims!" while on a business trip; drunkenly storming a strip club while out with co-workers stage; screwed up the finances of two veterans groups he led; and became an "abusive womanizer" who "belittled, lied, cheated, intrigued, and used women for his own power and ego" (quote from Heger Si's mother). Hegseth was also the subject of disturbing sexual assault allegations in 2017. Hegseth claimed the encounter was consensual and that he was still married at the time, weeks after giving birth to a child with his mistress (who he later married). He revealed in a Senate questionnaire that he paid the accuser $50,000 to keep quiet about the incident.
At times, Hegseth's nomination seemed to be in trouble, but he persisted in blaming the media to rationalize Republicans' support for his actions. Still, it's unlikely that many, if not most, of the senators who voted for him actually believed he was qualified for the position.
Hegseth’s confirmation is the most horrific demonstration yet of the extent of Congress’ enslavement to Trump, not America. Republican lawmakers are at his whim, and they will carry out his orders regardless of the harm it may cause to the country they have pledged to serve. Trump wanted Hegseth, and the Senate essentially abdicated its “advice and consent” role in order to make him president.