The U.S. Senate has confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. Vice President JD Vance cast a rare tie-breaking vote to confirm Hegseth, a former Fox News host and combat veteran who faced accusations of rape,

In an emailed message to the American military, Pete Hegseth said “we will remain the strongest and most lethal force in the world."

The Democrats’ refusal to question Hegseth over his fascist politics underscores that their priority is not the defense of democratic rights against a military-backed Trump dictatorship but the continuation of the war against Russia in Ukraine and the preparation of new wars against Iran in the Middle East and against China.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters as he arrived at the Pentagon that his first official day would be active.

New Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says there will soon be more executive orders from President Trump as he seeks to reshape and revamp the U.S. military. Hegseth arrived at the Pentagon Monday morning for his first day leading the department after narrowly being confirmed by the Senate last week.

Eight of the remaining hostages set to be released by Hamas in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel are dead, according to an Israeli government spokesperson.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into the most heavily destroyed part of the Gaza Strip on Monday as Israel lifted its closure.