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Confirmation process for Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense

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Trump Administration
(second term)
Donald Trump • J.D. Vance
Administration: Donald Trump's Cabinet • Confirmation process for Cabinet nominees • Confirmation votes by senator • Executive orders and actions • Key legislation • Vetoes • White House staff • Ambassadors • Special envoys • Multistate lawsuits • Supreme Court emergency orders
Transition: Transition • What happens during a presidential transition? • Certification of electoral votes • 2024 presidential election
First term: Transition • Confirmation process for Cabinet nominees • Cabinet • Administration

President-elect Donald Trump (R) announced television commentator, author, and retired National Guard officer Pete Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense on November 12, 2024.

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for Hegseth on January 14, 2025.[1] The Senate confirmed Hegseth in a 51-50 vote on January 24, 2025, with Vice President J.D. Vance (R) casting the tie-breaking vote in favor of Hegseth's nomination. Click here to read more about the confirmation process.

Trump said of Hegseth's nomination, "Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America's enemies are on notice - Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down."[2]

This page includes the following information about the confirmation process:

Confirmation process

See also: Confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, 2025

Confirmation vote roll call

See also: How senators voted on Trump Cabinet nominees, 2025

The Senate confirmed Hegseth in a 51-50 vote on January 24, 2025, with Vice President J.D. Vance (R) casting the tie-breaking vote in favor of Hegseth's nomination.

Summary of Senate vote on Pete Hegseth's nomination for secretary of defense (January 24, 2025)
Party Votes for Votes against Not voting
Democratic Party Democrats 0 45 0
Republican Party Republicans 50 3 0
Grey.png Independents 0 2 0
Republican Party Vice President J.D. Vance (R) 1 0 0
Totals 51 50 0


Three Republicans voted against his confirmation:


Senate confirmation hearing

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for Hegseth on January 14, 2025.[3]

Pete Hegseth's Senate confirmation hearing, January 14, 2025

Financial disclosures

The Office of Government Ethics released Hegseth's financial disclosures in January 2025. Click here to review them.

About the nominee

Hegseth received a bachelor's degree in political science in 2003, where he also participated in the Army ROTC and published a campus publication titled The Princeton Tory. Hegseth later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he graduated in 2013 with a master's degree in public policy.[4]

Hegseth, a second lieutenant, served at Guantanamo Bay as a part of the New Jersey Army National Guard from 2004 to 2005.[5] The following year, Hegseth, now a first lieutenant, was deployed with the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division to Baghdad, Iraq, where he served as an infantry platoon leader. Toward the end of his tour, in 2006, he served as a civil-military operations officer in Samarra.[4] Hegseth returned to active duty in 2012 as a captain. He was deployed to Afghanistan with the Minnesota Army National Guard and acted as a senior counterinsurgency instructor at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul.[4]He was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his service overseas.[4] In 2015, Hegseth became a major and began serving in the Individual Ready Reserve.[4] [6] Hegseth rejoined the National Guard in 2019. He left active duty in 2021, and officially separated from the National Guard's Individual Ready Reserve in January 2024.[7]

From 2007 to 2010, Hegseth served as the executive director of Vets for Freedom. Vets for Freedom was a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that sought to educate Americans "about the importance of achieving success in Iraq and Afghanistan by applying first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics on these battlefields."[8] In 2012, Hegseth became the CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, the "nation’s largest center-Right vets group," according to the National Review. He left the organization in 2015.[6][5]

In 2014, Hegseth became a regular contributor on the Fox News channel, co-hosting of "Fox & Friends Weekend" from 2017 to 2024.[4][5][9] During this time period, Hegseth also make appearances on CNN and MSNBC, wrote op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and the New York Post, and worked as a contributor for the National Review.[10]

As of 2024, Hegseth had authored four books: In the Arena (2016), American Crusade (2020), Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation (2022), and The War on Warrior: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free (2024).[4][11][12] The publisher's website described The War on Warriors, saying it "uncovers the deep roots of our dysfunction—a society that has forgotten the men who take risks, cut through red tape, and get their hands dirty. The only kind of men prepared to face the dan­gers that the Left pretends don’t exist. Unlike issues of education or taxes or crime, this problem doesn’t have a zip code solution. We can’t move away from it. We can’t avoid it. We have only one Pentagon. Either we take it back or surrender it altogether."[13]

Statements in response to nomination announcement

The section below provides statements from senators in response to Trump's November 12, 2024, announcement of Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense in his second presidential term.

Republicans

In response to a question from CNN about Hegseth's qualifications, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said:

“ No, I don't have concerns. I'm delighted at the prospect of working with [Hegseth].[14][15] ”
—Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), highest ranking Republican member of the Armed Services Committee
“ He’s got a distinguished time in the military. [...] So I think he’s just got to go through the vetting process and withstand what I’m sure is going to be an interesting murder board in the Senate Armed Services Committee.[16][15] ”
—Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-N.C.)
“ There’s been several people’s names that’s came out of left field, too. This is where President Trump is really good about putting people in place.[17][15] ”
—Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.)

Democrats

“ We’ve got to wait for the nomination and the documentation, but I’m somewhat skeptical.[18][15] ”
—Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), highest-ranking Democratic member of the Armed Services Committee
“ I haven’t seen a lot that impresses me as qualifications for one of the most complicated and important jobs in the country, if not the world. So I’m going to await, as I always do, the hearings and the information. But it’s not a nomination I expected.[19][15] ”
—Sen. Angus King (I-Maine)
“ He’s not qualified to serve as secretary of Defense. And obviously, he’s made these comments about how he doesn’t think women should be in combat, and that he wants to be able to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. […] We can’t go to war today without our women military members. And yet, he wants to judge the military at a time when we have a significant recruiting crisis. Again, I mean, it’s beyond ridiculous that he’s being nominated.[20][15] ”

About the confirmation process

See also: Appointment confirmation process

The confirmation process includes several rounds of investigation and review, beginning with the submission of a personal financial disclosure report and a background check. The nominee is then evaluated in a committee hearing, which allows for a close examination of the nominee and his or her views on public policy. Supporters and opponents of the nominee may also testify.[21]

Once committee hearings are closed, most committees have a set amount of time before a vote is taken on whether the nominee is reported to the Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation. The nomination will then go to the Senate floor for consideration. Once the nomination is considered by the Senate, unlimited debate is allowed until a majority of the Senate votes to invoke cloture and close debate. Following a vote of cloture, the Senate conducts a simple majority vote on whether to confirm, reject, or take no action on the nomination.[22]

About the Cabinet

A presidential Cabinet is a group of senior federal officials who advise the president on the issues and activities of their respective agencies. The Cabinet tradition is rooted in Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution, which states that the president "may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices."[23]

While not explicitly identified in the Constitution, the Cabinet secretaries are the 15 agency heads who are in the presidential line of succession. The vice president is also part of the Cabinet. These positions, in order of presidential succession, are:

The number of officials in a Cabinet can vary across presidential administrations. The following additional positions are part of Trump's second term presidential Cabinet:

All of the positions above, except for Vice President and White House Chief of Staff, require Senate confirmation.

Other Trump Cabinet nominees

See also: Donald Trump's Cabinet, 2025 and Confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, 2025

The following table provides an overview of the status, confirmation hearings, and committee and Senate votes for each of Trump's Cabinet and Cabinet-rank nominees in his second term.

Overview of confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees in his second term
Nominee Position Announced Senate committee Confirmation hearing Committee vote Senate vote Status
Marco Rubio Secretary of State November 13, 2024 Foreign Relations January 15, 2025 Favorable (22-0) 99-0 Confirmed on January 20, 2025
Scott Bessent Secretary of the Treasury November 22, 2024 Finance January 16, 2025 Favorable (16-11) 68-29 Confirmed on January 27, 2025
Pete Hegseth Secretary of Defense November 12, 2024 Armed Services January 14, 2025 Favorable (14-13) 51-50 Confirmed on January 24, 2025
Matt Gaetz Attorney General November 13, 2024 Judiciary N/A N/A N/A Withdrawn on November 21, 2024
Pam Bondi Attorney General November 21, 2024 Judiciary January 15-16, 2025 Favorable (12-10) 54-46 Confirmed on February 4, 2025
Doug Burgum Secretary of the Interior November 14, 2024 Energy and Natural Resources January 16, 2025 Favorable (18-2) 80-17 Confirmed on January 30, 2025
Brooke Rollins Secretary of Agriculture November 23, 2024 Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry January 23, 2025 Favorable (23-0) 72-28 Confirmed on February 13, 2025
Howard Lutnick Secretary of Commerce November 19, 2024 Commerce, Science, and Transportation January 29, 2025 Favorable (16-12) 51-45 Confirmed on February 18, 2025
Lori Chavez-DeRemer Secretary of Labor November 22, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions February 19, 2025 Favorable (13-9) 67-32 Confirmed on March 10, 2025
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Secretary of Health and Human Services November 14, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
/ Finance		 January 30, 2025 / January 29, 2025 N/A / Favorable (14-13) 52-48 Confirmed on February 13, 2025
Scott Turner Secretary of Housing and Urban Development November 22, 2024 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs January 16, 2025 Favorable (13-11) 55-44 Confirmed on February 5, 2025
Sean Duffy Secretary of Transportation November 18, 2024 Commerce, Science, and Transportation January 15, 2025 Favorable (28-0) 77-22 Confirmed on January 28, 2025
Chris Wright Secretary of Energy November 16, 2024 Energy and Natural Resources January 15, 2025 Favorable (15-5) 59-38 Confirmed on February 3, 2025
Linda McMahon Secretary of Education November 19, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions February 13, 2025 Favorable (12-11) 51-45 Confirmed on March 3, 2025
Doug Collins Secretary of Veterans Affairs November 14, 2024 Veterans' Affairs January 21, 2025 Favorable (18-1) 77-23 Confirmed on February 4, 2025
Kristi Noem Secretary of Homeland Security November 12, 2024 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs January 17, 2025 Favorable (13-2) 59-34 Confirmed on January 25, 2025
Jamieson Greer U.S. Trade Representative November 26, 2024 Finance February 6, 2025 Favorable (15-12) 56-43 Confirmed on February 26, 2025
Tulsi Gabbard Director of National Intelligence November 13, 2024 Intelligence (Select) January 30, 2025 Favorable (9-8) 52-48 Confirmed on February 12, 2025
Elise Stefanik U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations November 11, 2024 Foreign Relations January 21, 2025 Favorable (Voice Vote) N/A Withdrawn on March 27, 2025
Michael Waltz U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations May 1, 2025 Foreign Relations July 15, 2025
September 17, 2025		 Favorable (12-10)
Favorable (11-10)		 TBD Passed committee
Russell Vought Director of the Office of Management and Budget November 22, 2024 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs / Budget January 15, 2025 / January 22, 2025 Favorable (8-7) / Favorable (11-0) 53-47 Confirmed on February 6, 2025
Lee Zeldin Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency November 11, 2024 Environment and Public Works January 16, 2025 Favorable (11-8) 56-42 Confirmed on January 29, 2025
Kelly Loeffler Administrator of the Small Business Administration December 4, 2024 Small Business and Entrepreneurship January 29, 2025 Favorable (12-7) 52-46 Confirmed on February 19, 2025
John Ratcliffe Director of the Central Intelligence Agency November 12, 2024 Intelligence (Select) January 15, 2025 Favorable (14-3) 74-25 Confirmed on January 23, 2025


Historical comparison of Cabinet confirmations

Comparison to Biden administration

See also: Joe Biden's Cabinet

The following chart displays how many days it took for the Cabinet secretaries of President Joe Biden (D) to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2021. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.

Comparison to Trump's first term

See also: Donald Trump presidential Cabinet, 2017-2021

The following chart displays how many days it took for President Donald Trump's (R) first term Cabinet secretaries to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2017. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.

Comparison to Obama administration

The following chart displays how many days it took for the Cabinet secretaries of President Barack Obama (D) to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2009. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.


List of secretaries of defense, 1947-2024

See also: U.S. Department of Defense
Recent Secretaries of Defense
Secretary of Defense Years in office Nominated by Confirmation vote
William S. Cohen 1997-2001 William Clinton 99-0
Donald H. Rumsfeld 2001-2006 George W. Bush NA
Robert M. Gates 2006-2011 George W. Bush 95-2
Leon E. Panetta 2011-2013 Barack Obama 100-0
Chuck Hagel 2013-2015 Barack Obama 58-41
Ashton Carter 2015-2017 Barack Obama 93-5
James Mattis 2017-2019 Donald Trump 98-1
Mark Esper 2019-2020 Donald Trump 90-8
Christopher C. Miller 2020-2021 Donald Trump NA
David Norquist (acting) 2021-2021 Joe Biden NA
Lloyd Austin 2021-Present Joe Biden 93-2
Robert Salesses (acting) 2025-present Donald Trump N/A


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, "To conduct a confirmation hearing on the expected nomination of Mr. Peter B. Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense," accessed January 9, 2025
  2. ↑ X, "Karoline Leavitt on November 12, 2024," accessed November 13, 2024
  3. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, "To conduct a confirmation hearing on the expected nomination of Mr. Peter B. Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense," accessed January 9, 2025
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Pete Hegseth, "Bio," accessed November 20, 2024
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fox
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nat
  7. ↑ Fox News, "New book 'The War on Warriors' by Pete Hegseth highlights a patriot's concerns about a 'woke' military," June 4, 2024
  8. ↑ Guidestar, "IRS 990-EZ, Vets for Freedom (2011)," accessed December 16, 2016
  9. ↑ USA Today, "Trump taps conservative media pundit Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary," November 12, 2024
  10. ↑ Vets for Freedom, "Brief Biography," accessed November 20, 2024
  11. ↑ Google Books, "American Crusade," accessed November 20, 2024
  12. ↑ Google Books, "Battle for the American Mind," accessed November 20, 2024
  13. ↑ Fox News, "The War on Warriors," accessed November 20, 2024
  14. ↑ Reuters, "'Never heard of him:' surprise and questions greet Trump's defense secretary pick," November 13, 2024
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  16. ↑ Roll Call, "Senators divided on Hegseth nomination for Defense secretary," November 13, 2024
  17. ↑ NBC News, "'Who?' Some Republican senators surprised by Trump's defense pick," November 20, 2024
  18. ↑ Roll Call, "Senators divided on Hegseth nomination for Defense secretary," November 13, 2024
  19. ↑ Roll Call, "Senators divided on Hegseth nomination for Defense secretary," November 13, 2024
  20. ↑ Mediaite, "‘Where Do You Think I Lost My Legs?’ Senator Tammy Duckworth Hits Back at Trump’s SecDef Nominee for Saying Women Shouldn’t Serve in Combat ," November 13, 2024
  21. ↑ CRS Report for Congress, "Senate Confirmation Process: An Overview," accessed July 24, 2013
  22. ↑ Congressional Research Service, "Senate Consideration of Presidential Nominations: Committee and Floor Procedure," April 4, 2019
  23. ↑ Constitution Center, "Presidential Advisors," accessed November 18, 2020
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