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After his nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Friday night, Pete Hegseth was sworn in Saturday morning to be the next Secretary of Defense.
Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote Friday night, after three Republicans – Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky – all defected and voted “no” with Democrats.
Hegseth, 44, who has worked as a Fox News co-host for the past 10 years, is a former Army National Guard officer, served at Guantánamo Bay and in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the recipient of multiple awards for his military service, including two Bronze Star Medals and two Army Commendation Medals.
Late Friday night after his nomination was confirmed, Hegseth wrote in a social media post:
Thank you for your confidence Mr. President.
Thank you for the tie-breaker Mr. Vice President.
Thank you Senators for 50 votes.
This is for the troops. For the warriors. For our country.
America First. Every day. We will never back down. 🇺🇸
Thank you for your confidence Mr. President.
Thank you for the tie-breaker Mr. Vice President.
Thank you Senators for 50 votes.
This is for the troops. For the warriors. For our country.
America First. Every day. We will never back down. 🇺🇸
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 25, 2025
Surrounded by his wife and the couple’s 7 children, Hegseth was sworn into office Saturday morning by Vice President JD Vance.
🚨 #BREAKING: Vice President J.D. Vance swears in Pete Hegseth as U.S. Secretary of Defense. It is official.
Hegseth seen wearing a USA flag tie and pocket square. pic.twitter.com/6cd0X7nuTw
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 25, 2025
Hegseth spoke after he was sworn in. His first words were, “All praise and glory to God. His will be done.”
🚨 Pete Hegseth’s first words as Secretary of Defense: “All praise and glory to God. His will be done.”
On J.D. Vance breaking the tie to get him confirmed: “It’s not the first time the headline reads – ‘junior enlisted Marine bails out junior Army officer.'”
He adds that… pic.twitter.com/RJDC6Qu5qR
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 25, 2025
During his speech, Hegseth said:
“We don’t want to fight wars. But if we do, we will bring overwhelming force and destroy our enemy.”
“We will put America first. We will bring peace through strength.”
“The three principles I talked about are what we will bring to that Pentagon. Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do.”
“Rebuild our military and reestablish deterrents.”
“We don’t want to fight wars, we want to deter them… But if we need to fight them, we’re gonna bring overwhelming and decisive force to close with and destroy the enemy and bring our boys home.”
Pete Hegseth: “We don’t want to fight wars. But if we do, we will bring overwhelming force and destroy our enemy.”
“We will put America first. We will bring peace through strength.”
“The three principles I talked about are what we will bring to that Pentagon. Restore the… pic.twitter.com/gxqwEN6QWL
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 25, 2025
Below is a video of the full ceremony:
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH pic.twitter.com/PVuWMgzA37
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 25, 2025
Hegseth’s father, Brian Hegseth, announced Friday night, “It was my honor to be in the Capitol as @PeteHegseth officially became President Trump’s and America’s Secretary of Defense. #MakeAmericaGreatAgain.”
It was my honor to be in the Capitol as @PeteHegseth officially became President Trump’s and America’s Secretary of Defense. #MakeAmericaGreatAgain pic.twitter.com/633twlXQ9b
— Brian Hegseth (@BrianHegseth) January 25, 2025
One of Hegseth’s brothers, Phil Hegseth, posted the following photo on X:
Thy will be done. America won. Congratulations Mr. Secretary! @PeteHegseth pic.twitter.com/0HBVcwvA6r
— Phil Hegseth (@phegseth) January 25, 2025
Congratulations pour in for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth [Trump reacts]
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