Pete Hegseth narrowly secured enough votes on Friday to become the next U.S. defense secretary, a major victory for President Donald Trump after fierce opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans to his controversial nominee.

Pete Hegseth needed the vice president's vote to break a Senate tie for his confirmation as Defense secretary. Kelly and Gallego of Arizona voted no.

Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, was confirmed as the new Secretary of Defense after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. Hegseth faced a sexual assault allegation and questions about his past.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is muscling Pete Hegseth’s nomination as defense secretary toward confirmation Friday, prioritizing his vow to create a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon over allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women.

Pete Hegseth, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran and former Fox News host who promised to “return the Pentagon to the warfighters,” was confirmed as President Trump’s defense secretary in a dramatic Friday night Senate vote.

Vice President Vance had to serve as the tie-breaking vote in Hegseth's confirmation for defense secretary. Three Republicans voted against his confirmation

With two G.O.P. senators opposed, Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s pick for defense secretary, can afford to lose only one more. If he is confirmed, it is likely to be by the smallest margin for that post in modern times.

Read about President Trump's appointment of Robert Salesses, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, as acting secretary of defense.

Robert Salesses, deputy director of the Pentagon’s Washington Headquarters Service, will fill in as acting secretary of defense.