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.

Readers criticize the vote on the defense secretary nomination. Also: President Trump and tariffs; silencing health officials; firing of inspectors general; longevity.

Pete Hegseth narrowly secured enough votes on Friday to become the next US defence secretary, a victory for President Donald Trump after fierce opposition from Democrats and

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

The US Senate on Saturday confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, following a 50-50 tie vote that was broken by Vice President J.D. Vance, who cast the deciding vote

A Princeton and Harvard-educated former combat veteran, Hegseth went on to make a career at Fox News, where he hosted a weekend show. Trump tapped him as the defense secretary to lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.

Every one of Hegseth’s predecessors emphasized unity and a diverse military as key to national progress and defense. Michael T. Klare Every newly minted secretary of defense of the past 75 years or so has entered office with one overarching goal: to prepare US forces to overpower the nation’s foreign enemies if the need arose.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled Trump would sign executive orders intended to roll back diversity initiatives and shake up the military.

Whatever is needed at the border will be provided,” Pete Hegseth, the new defense secretary, told reporters on Monday.

There will be a lot on the plate for new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when he steps into his office on the Pentagon’s third floor E Ring.

Pete Hegseth, a former combat veteran and TV news show host, says he will be a "change agent" and a "warrior" for the department as Republicans demand new and strong leadership in the Pentagon.

Vice President Vance defended new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, calling him a “disrupter” who will prove “incredibly necessary.” Vance joined CBS News’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday