Republican legislators celebrated Pete Hegseeth as Minister of Defense on Friday after the Senate.
The Senate was divided 50-50, with three republicans: Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Mitch McConnell, R-KY. -join the Democrats who are opposed to the confirmation of Hegseeth, forcing vice-president JD Vance To cast the decisive vote.
After Hegseeth was confirmed, Republican legislators praised him as a ‘change agent’ who has a ‘passion for the warfighter’.
“Pete served as a front line officer with the National Guard, and he has a sharp intellect and a passion for the warfighter,” wrote senator Lindsey Graham, RS.C., on the social media platform X.
Pete Hegseeth confirms that Pentagon leads after VP Vance expands a quick vote
Pete Hegseeth testifies during his confirmation hearing of the armed forces of the Senate on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“He did an excellent job during a very controversial hearing and has ended all the attacks that came to his path,” Graham added. “He is optimistic about creating a larger, more deadly army and has a clear look at the enemies of America, including Iran. Israel will not have a better friend than Pete Hegseeth. “
Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he was “proud to vote to confirm Pete Hegseeth as defense minister.”
“He is the change agent who desperately needs the Dod,” said Cruz.
Senator MarkWayne Mullin from Oklahoma said, “We did it, America.”
“It was an honor to be in battle with my friend and your Secdef: @Petehegseeth,” he wrote. “The Hegseeth family is the best !!”
“Yes! @Petehegseeth is the man for the job,” said Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah. “I am honored that I voted for him. We have just confirmed him as the next Minister of Defense.”
Senator Roger Marshall wrote: “Congratulations to @Petehegseeth, our new Minister of Defense! Pete will bring about transformative changes, re -focus our army on deadliness and recruitment efforts. I can’t wait to see what a great job he will do.”
“Pete Hegseeth is the perfect match to make our army big again and to reach peace through strength,” wrote senator Marsha Blackburn, R-tenn. “It was an honor to support his appointment, and I look forward to seeing him restoring confidence in the Ministry of Defense by giving war fighters priority over bureaucrats.”
McConnell voted no on Hegseeth as head of the Pentagon, Dwegde Vance to perform Tiebreker
Pete Hegseeth at the completion of his confirming hearing for the Senate Committee for Armed Forces, in the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (AP photo/Ben Curtis)
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Hegseth congratulated with his appointment and said: “Every brave military member and every American is safer if you lead the Pentagon. The American strength is back!”
“Congratulations to our new defense minister,” said representative Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fa.
In the meantime, the Democrats questioned Hegseeth’s faith Leading the Pentagon before his confirmation.
“Is Pete Hegseeth-who failed to manage the finances of non-profit organizations of veterans, who drove his organizations in the debt that he could no longer even pay the creditors-really the person who wants to lead the Republicans about The budget of the Pentagon? ” Minority leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer, DY, wrote before the vote on X.
Schumer also wondered: “Is Pete Hegseeth really the best Republicans to lead the largest army in the world?”
“Our troops deserve better than someone who is as erratic and unqualified as Pete Hegseeth,” he added.
Senator Adam Schiff, D-California, said: “We earn a defense minister with sound experience, healthy assessment power and a good character. Pete Hegseeth does not meet the test.”
Pete Hegseeth during a confirmation hearing of the Senate Committee for Armed Forces in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Hegseeth, a former presenter of Fox News, had received questions about his unfaithfulness, accusations of assault and excessive alcohol consumption prior to his confirmation, and his earlier comments against women who worked in prison. combat roles in the army And his leadership qualities.
Hegseeth, married three times, admitted that he was a “serious deceiver” before he became a Christian and married his current wife, Jenny. He initially also said that he was against women in battle before he later said that he was only against standards for women in battle that are different from those for men. Hegseeth has also denied the accusations of sexual violence and said that as Minister of Defense he would refrain from alcohol.
