In a dramatic late-night session, the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the next U.S. Secretary of Defense by the slimmest of margins on Friday, with Vice President JD Vance casting the decisive tie-breaking vote to secure a major win for President Donald Trump.
The final vote stood at 50-50, with three Republican senators—Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine—joining all 47 Senate Democrats in opposing Hegseth’s nomination. In a historic moment, Vance stepped in to cast the tie-breaking vote, pushing the confirmation to 51-50.
READ: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz Intros Resolution To Repeal Biden Admin’s Ban On Natural Gas Water Heaters
The confirmation of Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, ends weeks of intense debate and political wrangling over Trump’s choice to lead the Pentagon. Critics had raised concerns about his lack of traditional military leadership experience and past statements regarding the role of women in combat, while supporters lauded his commitment to military reform and his “warrior ethos.”
This marks only the second time in U.S. history that a vice president has been required to break a tie on a Cabinet-level nominee. The last instance occurred in 2017, when then-Vice President Mike Pence cast a deciding vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary during Trump’s first term.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.