Controversial ex-remuneration presenter Pete Hegseth will become Secretary of Defense under US President Donald Trump. For the necessary majority in the Senate was the vote of Vice President JD Vance, which dissolved steeply, in the end.
Three Republicans voted against Hegseth, including former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The 44-year-old will lead one of the most important ministries in the United States with the Pentagon.
Due to concerns in his own ranks, Hegseth was not certain until the last moment. Hegseth is best known in the United States from his time on the Trump-friendly broadcaster Fox News. He was one of the most controversial candidates Trump nominated for his cabinet. Other than a failed run for a seat in the U.S. Senate for Minnesota, the journalist has no political experience.
Sexual violence and alcoholism
Following his nomination, reports of alleged racist and sexist statements also fueled Hegseth, alcohol abuse and sexual violence. Even his own mother questioned his character in a personal letter.
Hegseth clearly rejects the allegations. Shortly before the vote, new allegations had come to the public. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren also announced that Hegseth told the Senate he paid a woman who accused him of rape $50,000 ($47,746.37) as part of a confidentiality clause settlement agreement.
Because there were also reservations about his nomination in the ranks of the Republicans, Hegseth had intensive discussions with senators. Despite this, there were three deviants with Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and McConnell. The two senators had opened up about their concerns.
Republicans split deeply
After voting no to Hegseth, McConnell said the defense secretary was the most important Cabinet member. “Given the most serious threats to America’s national security interests since World War II, this position is even more important today,” he said.
So far, Hegseth has not shown that he would pass the test: he had not said how Taiwan or the Philippines could be defended against a Chinese attack. There was still substantial exchange about how the United States could confront its adversaries through closer alliance relationships. “Once he takes office, the consequences of failure will be more severe than ever before.”
As defense minister, the former soldier is responsible for the world’s most powerful military, 3.5 million military and civilian employees, a budget of about $800 billion and weapons projects and security policy decisions.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
