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Pete Hegseth Sworn In as US Defense Secretary After Tie-Break Vote
Above: US Vice Pres. JD Vance swears in Pete Hegseth as US secretary of defense during a ceremony in Washington, DC, US, on Jan. 25, 2025. Image copyright: Ron Sachs/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Hegseth is the least-qualified nominee for the position in modern history, so it's no surprise that he became the first one to be confirmed in a tie-break vote. He lacks the competence and character to manage the military, especially as his goals run against its long-running apolitical tradition.
Republican narrative
Hegseth has all the credentials to promote real change at the Pentagon. For too long, America has relied on secretaries that built resumes working in the woke-plagued defense industry, including Trump's previous Pentagon chief Mark Esper. Republicans no longer fear opposing the radical left and the swamp.