Hegseth Wins First Major Battle

Pete Hegseth conquered a coordinated effort to derail his confirmation. Can he win the war of reforming the U.S. Defense Department?

Pete Hegseth speaking with attendees at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo: Gage Skidmore)

Conservative media outlets celebrated as Pete Hegseth was successfully confirmed as Secretary of Defense this week.

“Senate Confirms Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary After Hard-Won Fight,” cheered Kristina Wong for Breitbart. “The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary on Friday evening 51–50 with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie vote.”

“The vote came down on a party line, with Republican Sens. Susan Collins (ME), Mitch McConnell (KY), and Lisa Murkowski (AK) defecting,” added Wong. “It was a long, hard-won fight against Democrats and a coordinated smear campaign facilitated by mainstream media outlets. At one point early on, his nomination appeared doomed, with several key Republicans expressing doubts.”

“However, the combat veteran and former Fox News host launched his own campaign, spending weeks on Capitol Hill meeting with Republican senators and discussing their concerns,” Wong marveled. “Hegseth also met with Democrat senators as well, although they made it clear they opposed his nomination from the get-go.”

Republicans on the Hill have been touting Hegseth’s confirmation since the final vote was cast.