JD Vance casts tie-breaking vote to protect Pete Hegseth’s nomination for US defense secretary

Pete Hegseth was narrowly confirmed as US President Donald Trump’s secretary of defense, with Vice President JD Vance casting the divisive vote on Friday evening.

Hegseth was confirmed after a 50-50 vote in the Senate, when Vance came to the chamber to break, after three Republicans joined every Democrat and Independent in voting no.

Hegseth’s confirmation came amid questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid allegations of heavy drinking and abusive behavior toward women.

It’s rare for a Cabinet nominee to face widespread concerns about his experience and conduct like Hegseth, especially in a high-profile role leading the US military.

But the Republican-led Senate was determined to confirm Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran who has vowed to bring a “culture of heroes” to the Pentagon, to join Trump’s top national security Cabinet.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune opened Friday’s session by saying Hegseth, as a National Guard veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, would “bring a warrior’s perspective” to the job.

“The days of the wake-up call will be over,” Thune said, referring to diversity, equity and inclusion programs being cut in the US federal government. “The Pentagon will focus on fighting the war.”

The ability of the Senate to confirm Hegseth despite the difficult series of accusations against him will provide a measure of Trump’s political power and the ability to get what he wants from the Republican-led Congress, as well as the power of the cultural wars to promote his agenda in the White House.