Pete Hegseth narrowly secured enough votes on Friday to become the next U.S. defense secretary, a major victory for President Donald Trump after fierce opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans to his controversial nominee.

Rarely has a Cabinet nominee faced such wide-ranging concerns about his experience and behavior as Hegseth, particularly for such a high-profile role atop

Pete Hegseth needed the vice president's vote to break a Senate tie for his confirmation as Defense secretary. Kelly and Gallego of Arizona voted no.

The former Fox News host faced allegations about sexual assault and excessive drinking, which he called smears.

Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, was confirmed as the new Secretary of Defense after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. Hegseth faced a sexual assault allegation and questions about his past.

Pete Hegseth was confirmed as defense secretary late Friday by the U.S. Senate after Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 tie as Senate president.

With two G.O.P. senators opposed, Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s pick for defense secretary, can afford to lose only one more. If he is confirmed, it is likely to be by the smallest margin for that post in modern times.

Vice President Vance had to serve as the tie-breaking vote in Hegseth's confirmation for defense secretary. Three Republicans voted against his confirmation

Read about President Trump's appointment of Robert Salesses, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, as acting secretary of defense.

Robert Salesses, deputy director of the Pentagon’s Washington Headquarters Service, will fill in as acting secretary of defense.