The Senate narrowly confirmed Pete Hegseth as secretary of Defense late Friday night, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Hegseth, who had been beset by allegations of sexual assault, public drinking and intoxication, and abusive treatment of women, secured the support of all but three Republicans to win confirmation with a 51-50 vote.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former Republican Senate leader who has previously clashed with President Donald Trump, joined all Democrats to vote against the nominee, resulting in a 50-50 tie.
Vance, acting in his capacity as Senate president, broke the deadlock and provided the margin of victory.
Hegseth’s confirmation is the latest victory for Trump, who was in southern California during the vote, as he tries to get his Cabinet and top officials approved by Congress.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump were making their first trip since Trump’s inauguration for a second term earlier this week, visiting two areas of the country that have been devastated by natural disasters.
Late Friday morning, the Trumps landed in western North Carolina, where recovery efforts are still ongoing after Hurricane Helene ripped through the area last year. Trump harshly criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency because of its hurricane response in North Carolina and said he would sign an executive order “overhauling” or even abolishing the agency.
Afterwards, the president and his wife traveled to southern California, which has been rocked by brutal wildfires. The president, who was greeted by Gov. Gavin Newsom, has threatened to withhold relief from California if it doesn’t reroute water to the southern part of the state. Trump is scheduled to end the day in Nevada, spending the night ahead of a campaign-style rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Trump addressed via video the 52nd annual March for Life rally in Washington on Friday to protest against abortion. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune also spoke.
