[Pentagon. Photo credit to Pixabay]

Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Secretary of Defense on Friday by the US Senate in a historically narrow vote of 51-50.

Three Republicans broke ranks with their party to join all Democrat senators and one independent in opposition: Senator Susan Collins of Maine, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Kentucky’s Senator Mitch McConnell, the former Senate Republican leader.

Vice President JD Vance cast the decisive tie-breaking vote.

In his confirmation hearings, Mr. Hegseth promised to bring a "warrior" characteristic to the Department of Defense, criticizing what he described as a weakening of the Department through “woke” generals and diversity programs.

The confirmation has drawn strong support from most Congressional Republicans.

“Peace through strength is back under President Trump and Pete Hegseth,” said Republican Senator Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who chairs the Senate Committee on Armed Services. 

“We cannot wait another minute to rebuild our military might and put the war-fighter first.”

However, the committee’s top Democrat, Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, expressed grave concerns about Mr. Hegseth’s reliability and trustworthiness.

“I am going to watch him like a hawk. I will point out where we disagree. I will demand accountability,” Reed warned.

The razor-thin margin stands in sharp contrast to recent Defense Secretary confirmations.

Lloyd J. Austin III, President Biden's appointee was confirmed 93-2, while President Trump’s previous choices, Jim Mattis and his successor, received overwhelming support with votes of 98-1 and 90-8, respectively.

Notably, Trump’s Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, was confirmed unanimously at 99-0. 

Critics allege troubling elements in Hegseth’s background.

They cite his Christian nationalist tattoos, including a US flag with an assault weapon bearing the text “Deus Vult,” as evidence of extremist views.

A criticism more grounded in reality is the accusations of sexual misconduct and aggressive behavior.

Police reports indicate he seized his ex-wife’s mobile phone and blocked her exit from a hotel room.

Hegseth's former sister-in-law reported that his second wife feared for her safety.

Alcohol abuse also seems to be a repeated issue when it comes to Mr. Hegseth. 

His family members, cited by Senator Jack Reed, stated that they feared for their safety during Hegseth’s episodes of excessive drinking.

A whistleblower report published in The New Yorker last year alleged frequent intoxication at nonprofit events under his leadership.

One source stated, "I've seen him drunk so many times. I've seen him dragged away not a few times but multiple times."

While Hegseth has pledged to abstain from alcohol if confirmed, he notably refused to commit to resignation should he break this promise.

The new Secretary will oversee more than a million active service members and another million civilian workers for the US military- totaling a budget of $1 trillion annually. 

This is a dramatic expansion from his previous management experience of 100 people and a maximum budget of $16 million.