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. -Joining Democrats in opposing Hegseth’s confirmation, forcing the Vice President JD Vance To cast a tie vote.
After Hegseth’s confirmation, GOP lawmakers praised him as an “agent of change” with a “passion for the positive.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-C., wrote: on social media platform
Pete Hegseth confirmed leadership of the Pentagon after VP Vance cast a tie vote

Pete Hegseth testifies during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“He did an excellent job during a contentious hearing and withstood all the attacks that came his way,” Graham added. “He is determined to create a larger, more lethal army and is clear of America’s enemies, including Iran, that 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 agent of change that the Department of Defense desperately needs,” Cruz said.
“We did it, America,” said Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullen.
“It was an honor to be in the fight with my friend, the SECDEF: petehegseth,” he wrote. “The Hegseth family is the best!!”
“Heck yeah! PeteHegseth is the man for the job,” said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. “I am honored to have voted for him. We have just confirmed him as our next Secretary of Defense.”
Senator Roger Marshall wrote: “Congratulations to PeteHegseth, our new Secretary of Defense! Pete will bring transformational change, refocusing our military on girlhood efforts and hiring. I can’t wait to see what he will do for a great job.”
“Pete Hegseth is well suited to make military great again and achieve peace through strength,” wrote Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. “It was an honor to support his nomination, and I look forward to seeing him restore confidence in the Department of Defense by prioritizing warfighters over bureaucrats.”
McConnell voted out Hegseth as Pentagon chief, forcing Vance to throw a tie

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 service member and every American is safer with you leading the Pentagon. American power is back!”
“Congratulations to the new Secretary of Defense,” said Rep. Ana Paulina Luna, R-Flores.
Meanwhile, Democrats questioned Hegseth’s certification Leading the Pentagon before confirming it.
“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 — the person Republicans want in charge of the Pentagon budget?” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote: , on X before voting.
Schumer also asked: “Does Pete Hegseth really have to be the best Republican to lead the greatest military in the world?”
“Our forces deserve better than someone as erratic and unqualified as Pete Hegseth,” he added.
“We deserve a Secretary of Defense with solid experience, sound judgment and good character,” said Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., “Pete Hegseth does not meet the test.”

Pete Hegseth during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, faced questions before confirming his infidelity, allegations of sexual assault and heavy drinking, and his past comments dissing women. Combat roles in the army And his leadership abilities.
Married three times, Hegseth admitted to being a “serial cheater” before becoming a Christian and marrying his current wife, Jenny. He also originally said that he opposed women in combat, before later saying that he only opposed standards for women in combat being different from those of men. Hegseth has additionally denied the sexual assault allegations and said he would abstain from alcohol as defense minister.
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2025-01-25 08:20:00