US President-elect Donald Trump decided to appoint Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. This time, the appointment received final approval from the US Senate.

After an equal vote (50-50) in the US Senate, Hegseth's appointment was confirmed by the Vice President's vote. The US television channel C-SPAN broadcast this historic vote live.

Pete Hegseth, 44, has promised major changes at the Pentagon. He was a veteran major in the Army National Guard and served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay prison.

Donald Trump said in a statement, "Hegseth is very strong and believes in the 'America First' policy. Under his leadership, the US military will become more efficient and stronger. The United States will never be left behind."

Pete Hegseth resigned from the military in 2021. “The military didn’t want me anymore, and I didn’t want them anymore,” he said. He has written several books, including his best-selling “The War on Warriors.”

“This appointment was a bit unexpected,” said retired Navy Colonel Mark Cancian. “It remains to be seen how much change Hegseth’s new leadership will bring to the Pentagon.”