Congratulations pour in for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth [Trump reacts]

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Congratulations are pouring in Friday night after former Fox News host and decorated military veteran Pete Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate to be America’s next Secretary of Defense.

Republicans control the Senate 53-47, so when three Republican senators joined all Democrats in opposing Hegseth’s nomination, Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, resulting in a 51-50 victory for Hegseth.

Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky all voted “no.”

Hegseth brought his wife and children to the Capitol Friday night, so they were all there to celebrate his victory when the vote was confirmed.

House Speaker Mike Johnson: “Congratulations to our new Secretary of Defense, @PeteHegseth! He will bring critical reforms to the Pentagon and serve our nation with distinction in these historic times. 🇺🇸”

President Trump wrote in a Truth social post, “Congratulations to Pete Hegseth. He will make a great Secretary of Defense!”

President Trump also commented on Hegseth’s confirmation while speaking to reporters in Los Angeles Friday night.

“I think Pete Hegseth is going to be a great Secretary of Defense, and we’re honored to have him,” he said, adding that he had just spoken to Hegseth while he was in the Marine One helicopter.

A reporter asked if he was disappointed that Sen. Mitch McConnell voted “no.”

Trump replied, “I didn’t even know that…. I just heard that we won. Winning is what matters, right?”

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.): “We did it, America. 🇺🇸🇺🇸 It was an honor to be in the fight with my friend, and your SecDef: @PeteHegseth. The Hegseth family is the best!!”

The White House wrote, “🇺🇸 @PeteHegseth’s confirmation as Secretary of Defense underscores President Trump’s commitment to strengthening our military. America is BACK.”

Rep. John James (R-Mich.): “Congratulations to my friend, @PeteHegseth, our new Secretary of Defense! Thank you, President @realDonaldTrump for selecting a Leader with boots on the ground combat experience. Let’s Make America Lethal Again 🇺🇸.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.): “Congratulations, @PeteHegseth, on your confirmation as Secretary of Defense! Every brave service member and every American is safer with you leading the Pentagon. American strength is BACK! 🇺🇸”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “I am very pleased that @PeteHegseth was confirmed by the Senate to be President @realDonaldTrump’s Secretary of Defense.

“Pete has served in the Army National Guard as a front line officer, and he has a keen intellect and a passion for the warfighter. He did an excellent job during a very contentious hearing and withstood all the attacks that came his way. He is bullish on creating a larger, more lethal military and is clear-eyed about America’s enemies, including Iran. Israel will have no better friend than Pete Hegseth. I look forward to working with Pete to make America strong and secure once again.”

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) reposted a video of an emotional moment during the confirmation hearing for Hegseth, when Scott asked him why he wanted the job.

With emotion in his voice, Hegseth had replied, “Because I love my country and I’ve dedicated my life to the warfighters. People see me as someone who hosted a morning show on television, but people who really know me know where my heart’s at. It’s with the guys in this audience who’ve had my back, and I’ve had theirs. We’ve been in some of the darkest and most difficult places you could ever be in. You come back a different person. And only by the grace of God am I hear before you today. I’m doing this job for them. For all of them.”

In sharing the video again Friday night, Scott wrote, “From my first discussion with @PeteHegseth, I knew President Trump made the right choice nominating him for Secretary of Defense. When I asked him this question, the world saw what I did: Pete Hegseth is a qualified combat veteran who cares about our troops and will do an incredible job as our Secretary of Defense. Congrats, Pete!”

More congratulatory messages below:

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