This post has been updated with statements from Sen. Roger Wicker and Sen. Jack Reed. The Senate on Friday confirmed Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and member of the National Guard, to serve as the next Secretary of Defense in a 51 to 50 decision late Friday with Vice President J.

Three GOP senators, including Mitch McConnell, voted against Trump’s embattled nominee, forcing J.D. Vance to break the tie.

The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary by the narrowest of margins, elevating an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host to the top Pentagon job with the help of a rare tie-breaking vote by the vice president.

Pete Hegseth has vowed to bring his “warrior” ethos to the Pentagon. Democrats had assailed him as unfit for the job, and his confirmation came down to Vice President JD Vance serving as tiebreaker.

A tiebreaking vote by Vice President JD Vance was needed after Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell joined Democrats to vote against Hegseth.

The Senate just barely confirmed Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary last week. Mitch McConnell’s vote against him in particular could spell trouble for Trump's shakiest nominees, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr,

Donald Trump nominee Pete Hegseth — despite being inundated with controversy — was narrowly confirmed as defense secretary in the U.S. Senate. The vote was extremely close. In contrast to Secretary of State Marco Rubio — who enjoyed strong bipartisan support in a confirmation vote — Hegseth was universally opposed by

In an emailed message to the American military, Pete Hegseth said “we will remain the strongest and most lethal force in the world."