The North Carolina senator provided pivotal 50th ‘yes’ vote to confirm Hegseth as defense secretary.

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

As the dust settles on the fight over Pete Hegseth's nomination, his confirmation is emblematic of a larger truth about the state of Republican politics.

Republicans pushed forward with Pete Hegseth’s nomination as secretary of defense on Wednesday even after a damaging report emerged claiming that his second wife lived in fear of his “abuse.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he plans to get the full Senate to hold a final confirmation vote on Hegseth before the end of the week.

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

Vice President Vance cast a tie-breaking vote as Hegseth overcame allegations of sexual assault, public drunkenness and questions of financial mismanagement to win Senate approval.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Thursday that she will vote against confirming Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon, becoming the first Republican to oppose one of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks ahead of a crucial test vote.

But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth squeaked by 51 to 50, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the second-ever tie-breaking vote for a Cabinet secretary. Sen. Thom Tillis cast the deciding vote Friday night after telling Hegseth's former sister-in-law he would oppose the nomination,

Senate Republicans are steamrolling ahead on Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon, and a new report detailing allegations of abusive behavior by the nominee have seemingly not dissuaded

- Tiebreak. Despite allegations of sexual assault, paying off an accuser, and drinking to incapacitation on the job, Pete Hegseth was confirmed as President Donald Trump's secretary of defense late Friday.

Senators voted 51-49 to advance Hegseth's defense secretary bid, which has been mired in several controversies. Two Republicans oppose him.