Hegseth quickly sworn in as US Defence Secretary after dramatic Senate vote

Mr Hegseth was finally sworn in (AP)

Pete Hegseth has been sworn in as America’s 29th Secretary of Defence, quickly joining President Donald Trump’s Cabinet after a dramatic late-night vote in the Senate installed him as the Pentagon’s leader.

Mr Hegseth took the oath from Vice President JD Vance in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with Mr Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Rauchet, at his side, and Republican senators looking on.