Vance casts tie-breaking vote to confirm Hegseth as Pentagon chief

The top ranks of the new Trump administration continue to grow as nominees secure confirmation, one by one, with a particularly critical role having been filled late on Friday evening.

As Newsmax reports, in a nail-biting conclusion to a fraught confirmation battle, Hegseth's nomination received Senate approval by a vote of 51-50, thanks to a tie-breaking endorsement from Vice President J.D. Vance in his role as president of the upper chamber.

GOP dissenters prompt tie-breaking vote

The scenario that unfolded on Friday night was historic in that it was only the second time in American history that the VP was required to cast a tie-breaking vote in a Cabinet confirmation process.

Though predictions that Republican Sens. Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) would vote against Hegseth came true, a decision from Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY) to oppose the nomination put the president's pick in jeopardy.

Explaining his vote, McConnell issued a statement which read, “Effective management of nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with staggering consequences. Mr. Hegseth has failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test.”

Amid a confirmation fight marked by a resurfacing of old sexual assault allegations and claims of alcohol abuse – accusations Hegseth vehemently denied – the nominee succeeded in winning the pivotal support of Republican Sens. Thom Tillis (NC), Todd Young (IN), and John Curtis (UT), as Axios noted.

Fortunately for Hegseth, Vance was able to step into the fray and cast the deciding vote, elevating the former Fox News personality and decorated military veteran to the Pentagon's top job.

Triumph amid long odds

As soon as he was announced as Trump's pick to head the Pentagon, Hegseth faced a deluge of criticism, with many minimizing his military and educational background by focusing on his recent past as a weekend cable news personality.

After long-ago sexual assault allegations were brought to the surface by those opposing his nomination, Hegseth's confirmation appeared all but doomed.

According to Axios, at one point in December, Vance himself was overheard to have said, “Pete isn't 100% dead. But he might be 90% dead.

Determined to remain strong in the face of such adversity, Hegseth provided unwavering assurances about his commitment to the role, pledged to abstain from alcohol during his tenure, engaged in multiple rounds of meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, and calmly – yet firmly – engaged with Senate critics during his formal confirmation hearing.

Hegseth's strategy bore impressive fruit, as evidenced by his swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, a triumphant moment witnessed by his wife and seven children.

Praise for Pete

After the confirmation battle concluded in the nominee's favor, Trump himself took to his Truth Social platform to offer his reaction, writing, “Congratulations to Pete Hegseth. He will make a great Secretary of Defense!”

In his own summation of the Trump pick's qualifications for the role, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated his belief that Hegseth will “bring a warrior's perspective” to his new job, and that is something millions of Americans believe is long overdue.