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Thursday, February 6, 2025

Pete Hegseth Confirmed as US Defense Secretary

Washington (TDI): Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, was confirmed as the next secretary of defense after Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote in the Senate Friday night.

The Senate vote ended in a 50-50 tie, with Vance casting the deciding vote.

Once sworn in, Hegseth will lead the Defense Department.

During his confirmation process, Hegseth promised that as defense secretary he would prioritize investments in AI, drones and counter-drone systems, among other technologies that he considers crucial to military modernization.

“After my confirmation as Secretary of Defense, I will order the Service Secretaries, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering to expedite adoption and integration of cheap and highly capable unmanned systems to transition to the force of the future,” he wrote in response to advance policy queries from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee before his confirmation hearing.

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Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools can assist the Defense Department enhance its decision support capabilities “from the boardroom to the battlefield,” he noted.

Advancing the Defense Department’s arsenal of AI and uncrewed platforms was also a leading military modernization priority for the Biden administration.

The Trump administration seems poised to expedite that push.

One of Hegseth’s first tasks in his new role will be to oversee implementation of Trump’s executive orders to use the military to help boost security on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Hegseth as Trump’s Choice

Trump in November named Hegseth as his choice for Secretary of Defense.

He officially submitted his nomination to legislators on Monday after he was sworn in for his second term.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and author who served in the Army National Guard and served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was an unconventional and controversial pick to lead the Pentagon.

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He faced criticism for remarks he made about the role of women in combat and the military’s diversity initiatives.

He’s also been accused of financial mismanagement, sexual assault, and excessive alcohol use — accusations which he has denied.

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