The U.S. Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Protection on Jan. 24 in a tie-breaking vote.
Hegseth, a fight veteran and former Fox Information host, was confirmed with the Senate break up 50-50.
Vice President JD Vance solid the deciding vote, as three Republicans broke with their celebration to vote towards Hegseth.
Republican Senators Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins joined the Senate Democrats in opposing the nomination.
Hegseth’s function might be to guide 1.3 million troops and preside over a $850 billion price range, in addition to to carry conferences with U.S. allies, appearing because the principal protection policymaker and adviser.
The affirmation got here regardless of quite a few allegations of misconduct, in addition to questions on Hegseth’s {qualifications} to guide the Pentagon.
President Donald Trump praised Hegseth’s appointment, calling him a “nice secretary of protection” and dismissing the dissent as irrelevant to the "necessary factor" of securing a win.
Hegseth’s affirmation completes Trump’s high nationwide safety workforce.
Hegseth beforehand served as an infantry captain within the Military Nationwide Guard, doing a number of excursions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
He has beforehand referred to as for decreasing the U.S. dedication to the NATO navy alliance and lowering U.S. spending on international help.
At his affirmation listening to on Jan. 14, he was requested about his place on Ukraine after he didn’t point out Russia’s full-scale invasion throughout his opening remarks.
"We all know who the aggressor is," Hegseth replied, including: "We all know who the great man is. We’d wish to see (the decision of the battle be) as advantageous for the Ukrainians as potential."
"However that battle wants to return to an finish," he mentioned.
The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova