Appointment had the opposition of the entire democratic field and three republican senators
The US Senate narrowly confirmed, on Friday, the appointment of Pete Hegseth to Donald Trump’s secretary of defense, despite the opposition of the entire Democratic field and three Republican senators.
The appointment of the former Army Major and 44 -year -old Fox News host to the Pentagon had been much contested by the left, due to an accusation of sexual assault dating from 2017, lack of experience and suspicion of excessive consumption of alcohol.
Despite criticism, Donald Trump’s choice for Pentagon head Pete Hegseth was eventually confirmed by the Senate, as the United States Constitution determines, which requires the appointments of secretaries and other high administration officials to be confirmed there by voting .
Despite a 53 -seat Republican majority in the High House of Congress, the new vice president JD Vance had to move to the Senate – a rare occurrence – to give the decisive vote in a 50-50 vote.
Three Republican members voted against, including surprisingly, Mitch McConnell, former Republican leader. Lisa Murkowski, who also voted against, had previously said that the appointment raised “considerable concerns” to which he could not “close his eyes.”
The senator also cited the opposition of Pete Hegseth to the presence of women in combat troops, a position that the former soldier said in the meantime.
Pete Hegseth became known in the United States ten years ago as presenter of Fox News, the favorite channel of conservatives in the United States.
Hegseth will take over at the age of 44 the direction of a ministry with an impressive annual budget of $ 850 billion that employs about three million military, reservists and civilians.
Its main mission, declared in mid-January, during its hearing of confirmation before a Senate committee, will be “bringing back the culture of the warrior” to the Pentagon, who wants to reform completely, because he considered he became too leftist. in ideology.
The announcement of the appointment of Pete Hegseth in November provoked opposition protests. Democratic senators questioned him on the Armed Forces Committee on a charge of sexual assault, dating back to 2017 in California.
The former soldier, who denies any non-consensual relationship, reached a $ 50,000 financial agreement, a few years later, with the woman who accused him, to avoid any lawsuit.
Opposition deputies also criticized Hegseth’s lack of experience in managing such an important portfolio and their positions in relation to women in the Armed Forces.
Finally, Pete Hegseth is also suspected of overly drinking in excess. “One of his colleagues said he was so drunk at an event in a bar he sang ‘Kill All Muslims,'” Senator Democrat Elizabeth Warren said during the audience.
Despite the controversy, Donald Trump maintained the choice and once again, this Friday, described it as a “good man.”
