Pete Hegseth Sworn in as Secretary of Defense after Senate Confirmation

What Happened?

Pete Hegseth was sworn in as the 29th Secretary of Defense Saturday, January 25th after receiving confirmation in the U.S. Senate.

Vice President Vance cast the tiebreaking vote to confirm Mr. Hegseth, after three Republicans — Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky — joined all Democrats in opposition.

The final vote, 51 to 50, was the smallest margin for a defense secretary’s confirmation since the position was created in 1947, according to Senate records.

Why it Matters

The Secretary of Defense is arguably the most critical cabinet position in the U.S. government.

He will manage one of the world’s largest bureaucracies with over two million employees and an eight hundred billion dollar budget. The secretary of defense is also responsible for guiding the U.S. military into the future and developing a strategic framework to defend the U.S. for the next four years.

According to the Department of Defense:

‘Mr. Hegseth was commissioned as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army National Guard after graduating from Princeton University in 2003. He participated in a number of active-duty deployments during his time in service, including operations in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth also served in multiple staff positions in the National Guard. Hegseth's military awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB). He has authored five books, including the New York Times best-seller The War on Warriors (2024).’

All cabinet nominees face intense scrutiny from Congress and the media. Mr. Hegseth had his share of detractors who questioned his qualifications.

His supporters, including Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said:

‘Pete has a unique perspective as a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and is unquestionably passionate about modernizing our military and supporting the brave patriots like himself who serve our nation.’

Mr. Hegseth’s confirmation also marks a generational shift, as he is now the first member of Generation X to hold the office of Secretary of Defense. The veteran’s community was divided, with some groups supporting and others opposing Mr. Hegseth’s confirmation.

How it Affects You

Mr. Hegseth will face a number of challenges leading the Department of Defense.

Recruiting has been a challenge as several branches of the U.S. military missed recruiting goals in the past years. Conflicts abroad such as the war in Ukraine and the Gaza War have revealed the existence of new technologies and tactics for warfare, and the U.S. Department of Defense will have to adapt to these changes in order to maintain its dominance in the realm of military affairs.

Mr. Hegseth has not yet publicly revealed his specific budget and strategy plans for the Department of Defense.