Pete Hegseth's seven children watch on as he's sworn in as Defense Secretary

Pete Hegseth has officially been sworn in as Defense Secretary, with all seven of his children watching on. 

Hegseth swore an oath of office beside Vice President JD Vance in front of his wife and children. 

The US Senate narrowly confirmed the former Fox News co-host as being the Pentagon Chief on Friday. 

Speaking after the swearing in, Hegseth thanked President Trump and described the job as an ‘honor of a lifetime’.

He added: ‘We look forward to having the backs of our troops in executing peace through strength, in putting America first and improving our military.’

Hegseth also thanked Vance for ‘breaking the tie’ in backing his appointment after his vote was the deciding ballot.

The 44-year-old added: ‘There was so many folks on this inside and allies on the outside who stood by us.

‘I want to thank the warfighters, I want to thank the men and women wearing the uniform. 

‘Every time I stand at a podium the first thing that goes through my head are the guys I served with on the battlefield.’

‘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 we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrents, we don’t want to fight wars. We want to end them responsibly.’

He added: ‘If we need to fight them, we are going to bring overwhelming and decisive force to destroy the enemy and to bring our boys home.’

Hegseth is Donald Trump’s most controversial confirmation so far and he was skating on thin ice before getting a passing vote from senators Friday. 

Directly after Trump announced Hegseth’s nomination in November the candidate was dogged with allegations, including drinking issues, sexual misconduct and poor business judgement. 

The father of seven denies wrongdoing in those instances, and he credits God and his third wife Jennifer for helping him change course. ‘I’m not perfect,’ he testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee as his wife sat directly behind her husband in a show of support.

But in the past 24 hours just ahead of his final confirmation multiple Republicans turned their backs on Trump’s nominee and said they would not vote for him.

Despite this, Hegseth was confirmed into the Pentagon’s top job – proving that Donald Trump’s MAGA mandate has overcome even the most skeptical senators.

Hegseth did not win over all Republicans, however. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska revealed they would not back the candidate, in part due to the scandals hanging over him.

Mitch McConnell also voted against Hegseth, and in a strange scene was seen celebrating with Democrats following the vote despite their loss. 

McConnell, who is hawkish on U.S. defense and foreign policy, had voted earlier this week to advance the nomination to the floor but was a no on confirmation. 

In a statement, McConnell wrote that ‘In public comments and testimony before the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Hegseth did not reckon with this reality.’ 

Following his confirmation, Trump said that ‘winning is what matters’ after the rare tiebreaker inside the Senate. 

Trump was on the tarmac at LAX after visiting the California wildfires Friday, when he was asked his thoughts on the confirmation after saying he’d spoken to Hegseth.

‘We just heard that we have a great Secretary of Defense, we’re very happy about that and we appreciate everybody’s vote,’ Trump said under the noise of Air Force One.

When asked about McConnell’s ‘no’ vote, which Trump had jokingly predicted earlier in the day, the president responded: ‘I didn’t know that, I just know that we won.’

When pressed again on McConnell’s vote, he once again said he didn’t know that it had happened and repeated: ‘I just heard that we won. Winning is what matters, right?’

Another reporter asked if Trump was worried if Hegseth only getting 50 votes was a predictor of potential trouble for more of the president’s nominees.

‘No, I’m honored to have Pete, I think Pete’s going to be a great Secretary of Defense.’

You May Also Like
‘Severance’s Tramell Tillman Reveals Which “Woe’s Hollow” Scene Nearly Made Him Break Character: “I Almost Lost It”

The actor Tramell Tillman from “Severance” shares the emotional scene from “Woe’s Hollow” that almost caused him to lose his composure.

Tramell Tillman, who plays Seth Milchick in Season 2 of Severance, is…
American Marc Fogel released from Russian custody

American Marc Fogel has been released from detention in Russia

An American teacher who was detained by Russia is heading back to…
Nancy Mace Delivers Emotional Speech on House Floor Accusing Ex-Fiancé, 3 Others of Rape, Sex Trafficking

“Nancy Mace Gives Heartfelt Speech in Congress, Naming Ex-Fiancé and 3 Others in Rape and Sex Trafficking Allegations”

In December 2024, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) posted a cryptic video to…
Hegseth says Fort Bragg is coming back, but with a twist

Hegseth claims that Fort Bragg will return with a new approach

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday directed the U.S. Army to change…
ASAP Rocky trial: Rapper may testify at his felony assault trial

Rapper ASAP Rocky might take the stand in his trial for felony assault soon.

In Los Angeles, A$AP Rocky and his legal team are considering having…
FBI Officials File Class Action Lawsuit Against Trump's DOJ To Block Identification Of Agents Led January 6, Mar-a-Lago Investigations

FBI Officials Sue Trump’s DOJ in Group Lawsuit to Stop Revealing Agents in January 6 and Mar-a-Lago Probes

Last Updated on February 10, 2025 Two groups of FBI agents have…
MAGA head of JFK files task force claims there were TWO shooters and pledges to uncover more secrets

“Head of JFK Files Task Force Reveals Belief in Two Shooters and Vows to Reveal Further Secrets”

MAGA star Anna Paulina Luna has made a jaw-dropping claim that there…
Prince Harry and Meghan sip on beers at Invictus Games welcome party in Whistler before Meghan is caught off guard by her husband joking to the crowd that she will sing on stage

Prince Harry and Meghan enjoying beers at Invictus Games welcome party in Whistler before Harry surprises crowd by suggesting Meghan sing on stage

Prince Harry joked that he was going to get Meghan to sing…
Rogue Agency: The Case to Shut Down FEMA

“The Argument for Disbanding FEMA: A Closer Look at a Rogue Agency”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an entity that many believe…
Meghan Markle is 'lowering her status' to make Prince Harry look like a 'hero' with her 'limpet cling' shoulder nuzzles and arm hugs at Invictus Games, body language expert claims

“Body Language Expert Analyzes Meghan Markle’s Supportive Gestures at Invictus Games”

Meghan Markle knows that when she steps out in public, the world’s…
Venezuelan planes sent to US for deportation flights return to country with nearly 200 deportees

“Venezuelan Planes Return to Country with Nearly 200 Deportees from US”

On Monday, two planes provided by Venezuela brought back almost 200 Venezuelans…
DuPage County lawmakers to vote whether to remove late Congressman Henry Hyde's name from courthouse

DuPage County officials to vote on removing Congressman Henry Hyde’s name from courthouse

WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) — DuPage County lawmakers are expected to vote Tuesday…