Pete Hegseth was sworn in as the 29th Secretary of Defense after a tense 51-50 Senate vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaker. Despite serious allegations of misconduct, including heavy alcohol use and inappropriate behavior toward women, Hegseth received President Trump's backing, which helped advance his nomination. In his inaugural speech, Hegseth emphasized a need to restore military prowess and deter conflict, while also acknowledging he must build a strong team in a time of global challenges. His confirmation faced significant opposition from Senate Democrats and three Republicans, amid concerns over his qualifications for the role.