'Deeply Shameful': Watchdog, Democratic Senators Slam Republicans for Confirming Hegseth as Defense Secretary

Pete Hegseth—U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial pick to lead the Pentagon—was narrowly confirmed as secretary of defense late Friday, despite a confirmation process that was rocked by allegations of sexual assault, sexist behavior, and more that critics warned made him unqualified and unfit to lead the country's largest federal agency.

"Hegseth is such a monster—just depressing for us all," wrote David Duhalde, the chair of the Democratic Socialists of America Fund on X following the Senate's confirmation of Hegseth, an army veteran and former Fox News co-host.

Hegseth was sworn in to the position on Saturday morning.

Vice President JD Vance cast a tie breaking vote to get Hegseth over the line after Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) joined all of the body's Democratic and Independent senators in opposing his nomination. This was only the second time that a vice president has broken a tie for a cabinet nominee, according to CNN. The other time was when Betsy DeVos faced her 2017 Senate confirmation for Secretary of Education.

McConnell—who according to NBC News was among a group of GOP members who expressed reservations about Hegseth, but voted for an earlier procedural motion to allow Hegseth's nomination to advance to a final vote—issued a lengthy statement following his confirmation.

"Effective management of nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with staggering consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests," McConnell wrote. "Mr. Hegseth has failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test. But as he assumes office, the consequences of failure are as high as they have ever been."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who lost both her legs while deployed to Iraq in 2004, issued a statement following the vote, writing, "it is deeply shameful that tonight—despite shouting from the rooftops that they wanted to bring meritocracy back to our military—nearly every Republican chose to confirm someone who so obviously lacks the merits to serve as our Secretary of Defense," according to Fox 32 Chicago.

"Pete Hegseth's confirmation will make our nation less safe," wrote Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in a statement Friday. "His confirmation is a slap in the face to the quarter of a million active duty women in our military... Too few Republican leaders stood up for them."

"Republican Senators approved an unqualified nominee with a long history of alleged substance abuse, sexual harassment, and assault," she added.

Hegseth was able to secure the nomination despite multiple, explosive allegations that came to light during his nomination process. In November 2024, The Washington Post reported that Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2017 as part of a nondisclosure agreement, though according to Hegseth their encounter was consensual. In December, The New Yorkerreported that a whistle-blower report and other documents suggest that Hegseth was forced out of leadership positions due to sexist behavior, financial mismanagement, and being drunk on the job. Hegseth's former sister-in-law also provided the Senate Armed Services Committee with an affidavit earlier this week accusing him of being abusive toward one of his ex-wives. Hegseth has denied the allegations in the affidavit.

Hegseth has also come under scrutiny for making comments in the past that women should not serve in combat roles.

Tony Carrk, the executive director of the watchdog group Accountable.US, slammed the GOP senators who voted Hegseth through, writing, "this confirmation shows that most Republican Senators are willing to rubber-stamp the lowest common denominator from the Trump administration even when it puts everyday Americans in harm's way. That’s terrifying."