In a dramatic late-night session, the U.S. Senate is voting on the nomination of Pete Hegseth as defence secretary, who has vowed┬аto bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon despite questions over his qualifications and allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behaviour toward women.
Rarely has a Cabinet nominee faced such wide-ranging concerns about his experience and behaviour as Hegseth, particularly for such a high-profile role leading the U.S. military.
But the Republican-led Senate was determined to confirm Hegseth, a former Fox News host and combat veteran, to round out U.S. President Donald Trump’s top national security Cabinet officials.
U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance was expected in the Senate, in the likely event he would be needed to break a tie, and Hegseth himself was at the Capitol with his family to watch the vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune opened Friday’s session saying that Hegseth, as a veteran of the National Guard who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, “will bring a warrior’s perspective” to the job.
“Gone will be the days of woke distractions,” Thune said, referring to the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives being slashed across the U.S. federal government. “The Pentagon’s focus will be on war fighting.”
The Senate’s ability to confirm Hegseth despite a grave series of allegations against him will provide a measure of Trump’s political power and ability to get what he wants from the Republican-led Congress, and of the potency of the culture wars to fuel his agenda at the White House.
