What will be the main focus areas of Pete Hegseth's first year as Secretary of Defense?
Military modernization • 25%
Deterrence strategies • 25%
Personnel and ethics reforms • 25%
Other • 25%
Official statements from the Department of Defense or credible news reports
VP Vance Breaks Tie as Senate Confirms Ex-Fox Host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary
Jan 25, 2025, 03:36 PM
Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, was confirmed as the United States Secretary of Defense after a historic narrow vote in the Senate, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking a 50-50 tie. Three Republican senators—Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski—joined all Democrats in opposing his nomination, citing concerns over allegations of sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse, and lack of experience. Accompanied by his wife and seven children, Hegseth was sworn in and emphasized his mission of 'achieving peace through strength.' In his address, he stressed the importance of restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and reestablishing deterrence. He stated: 'We don't want to fight wars. We want to deter them... But if we need to fight them, we're going to bring overwhelming and decisive force to close with and destroy the enemy and bring our boys home.' Lawmakers and officials offered mixed reactions, with some praising his appointment and others expressing deep concern over his qualifications.
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International Military Alliances • 25%
Domestic Military Base Improvements • 25%
Military Budget Increase • 25%
Defense Technology Advancements • 25%
Other Initiatives • 25%
AI Investments • 25%
Military Readiness • 25%
Defense Budget Reallocation • 25%
Other • 25%
Military Readiness • 25%
Sexual Assault Prevention • 25%
Pentagon Audit • 25%
Rooting out 'woke' policies • 25%
Other focus areas • 25%
Military readiness and lethality • 25%
Financial management reforms • 25%
Reduction of overseas military engagements • 25%
Other • 25%
Enhanced military readiness against China • 25%
Increased defense spending • 25%
Military Restructuring • 25%
Increased Defense Budget • 25%
New Military Alliances • 25%
Other • 25%
Other • 25%
Reduction in overseas deployments • 25%
Military budget increase • 25%
Focus on IndoPacific region • 25%
Meritocracy and accountability • 25%
Lethality and war fighting • 25%
Readiness and modernization • 25%
Social justice and diversity • 25%
International Defense Cooperation • 25%
Defense Budget Reallocation • 25%
Military Personnel Policy • 25%
Cybersecurity Initiatives • 25%
Military Recruitment Overhaul • 25%
Iron Dome Defense System • 25%
Other • 25%
Restoration of Base Names • 25%
Climate Change Initiatives • 25%
Shipbuilding • 25%
Other • 25%
Military Lethality • 25%
Increase in defense budget • 25%
Other • 25%
Reduction of Pentagon bureaucracy • 25%
Military readiness enhancement • 25%
Not successful • 25%
Widely successful • 25%
No significant initiatives • 25%
Partially successful • 25%