Washington: The US Senate narrowly approved the appointment of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense in the administration of President Donald Trump. The decision followed intense debate and opposition from the Democratic camp and three Republican senators.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Senate vote resulted in a 50-50 tie, prompting Vice President J.D. Vance to cast the deciding vote in favor of Hegseth's appointment. This appointment has been contentious, with critics pointing to Hegseth's limited experience in managing the military and his controversial statements, such as opposing the presence of women in combat roles.

Hegseth, a 44-year-old former Army major, also faced scrutiny over past allegations. In 2017, he admitted to paying $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault. Despite these issues, the Trump administration has continued to support his nomination for the position of Secretary of Defense.