Trump's defense nominee won a 50–50 Senate vote with the vice president breaking the tie

Trump selected Hegseth to lead the Defense Department; the Senate confirmed him 50–50 after Vice President JD Vance broke the tie.

Entities and roles

Donald J. TrumpTrump-selected defense secretaryPete Hegseth
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factdocumented
After Donald Trump selected Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department, the Senate confirmed him on a 50–50 vote with Vice President JD Vance voting yea; Vance swore Hegseth in on January 25, 2025, and the department's current biography records that he remains its secretary as of September 3, 2026.
- United States Senate: Roll Call Vote 119th Congress, 1st Session: Confirmation of Peter HegsethVote summary: 50 yeas, 50 nays, vice president voted yea
- U.S. Department of Defense: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Begins 'Most Important Deployment of My Life'January 25, 2025 swearing-in and Trump selection
- U.S. Department of Defense: HON Pete HegsethCurrent biography and January 25, 2025 swearing-in