Pete Hegseth has vowed to bring his “warrior” ethos to the Pentagon. Democrats had assailed him as unfit for the job, and his confirmation came down to Vice President JD Vance serving as tiebreaker.

The Senate voted Friday night on the confirmation of Trump's pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth.

Dave McCormick's vote helped Hegseth overcome three GOP defections for be confirmed as secretary of defense. Democrat John Fetterman voted no.

Vice President JD Vance was forced to step in after Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell broke ranks and voted against Hegseth.

Just hours after his confirmation as defense secretary on Friday night, Pete Hegseth issued his “message to the force” in a Pentagon press release. He said it was the “privilege of a lifetime to lead the warriors of the Department of Defense,” and he urged his new subordinates to “put America first” and “never back down.”

The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth late Friday, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon.

Three Republicans voted with every Democrat against Trump’s controversial pick to lead the Pentagon, forcing Vance to step in and put Hegseth over the top.

After a few GOP senators, including McConnell, voted against Hegseth for defense secretary, the Senate narrowly voted to confirm him.

The Senate narrowly voted to confirm embattled Pete Hegseth as secretary of the Department of Defense, in a major win for President Donald Trump and his new administration.

Vice President JD Vance celebrated Pete Hegseth's confirmation with an anecdote that referenced Ohio State's recent national championship victory.

Pete Hegseth, President Trump's controversial pick for Secretary of Defense, was sworn in today following an historic, tie-breaking vote last night. NBC News' Yamiche Alcindor reports.