US Senate Confirms Pete Hegseth as Pentagon Chief After Tie-Breaking Vote

In a closely contested decision, the US Senate confirmed former Fox News co-host Pete Hegseth as the new Pentagon chief. This came after a 50-50 tie where three Republican senators opposed the nomination by former President Donald Trump. J.D. Vance was called upon to cast the deciding vote.

According to AFP, the confirmation process, described by former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney as one of the "worst possible professional experiences," attracted significant attention. Mulvaney expressed empathy for Hegseth, acknowledging the grueling nature of the hearings. "It's really horrible… to go through,"

Despite concerns about Hegseth's past, involving allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct, the Senate ultimately confirmed him on Friday. This event marked only the second occasion in history when a vice president intervened to secure the confirmation of a cabinet nominee.

Apart from his political and military career, Hegseth is known for his distinctive tattoo of a large Greek cross on his right forearm. This tattoo, with its arms of equal length, symbolizes his Christian faith, reflecting personal values and beliefs that are significant to him.

The Greek cross symbol that is used by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, also known as the Jerusalem cross. The Jerusalem cross features a large central cross with four smaller crosses in each quadrant, symbolizing the Five Wounds of Christ or the spread of Christianity to the four corners of the world. This emblem is associated with the Crusaders and has historical significance in Christianity, especially in relation to the city of Jerusalem.