Trump's Defense Secretary nominee elected by 1-vote margin: He had targeted Muslims

Former Fox TV host Pete Hegseth was the name nominated by US President Donald Trump for the Department of Defense. In the vote held in the US Senate, Hegseth was appointed as the US Secretary of Defense with 51 votes to 50. In the first round of voting, Hegseth's nomination failed to be confirmed due to a 50-50 tie. Later, Vice President JD Vance cast a vote in favor of Hegseth, breaking the tie.

Hegseth's nomination was confirmed in the Senate chamber of the US Congress.

As a result of the vote, 44-year-old Hegseth became the new US Secretary of Defense with 51 'yes' votes against 50 'no' votes in the Senate, where Republicans hold a majority with 53 seats.

The vote remained at 50-50 after Republican Party Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky voted 'no' on Hegseth.

Hegseth was recorded as the 3rd member of the Trump cabinet to receive Senate confirmation, following Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe.

ALLEGATIONS REGARDING HEGSETH

There were debates regarding whether former soldier and Fox TV host Hegseth was qualified for the position.

In addition to allegations that Hegseth went to work under the influence of alcohol, it was revealed that an unnamed woman had reported to the police that she was sexually assaulted by Hegseth in a hotel room in California in 2017.

Denying the sexual assault allegation and arguing that the incident was 'consensual,' Hegseth admitted in a written response to a question during his Senate confirmation hearing on January 14 that he had 'paid 50 thousand dollars to the woman who accused him of sexual assault.'

It was also alleged that Hegseth shouted 'Kill all Muslims' while intoxicated at a veterans group event in 2015.

The Fox TV host is also known for his 'anti-Muslim' views expressed during television broadcasts.