U.S. Senate select committees approve nominees to head the Defense Department and CIA
The U.S. Congressional Select Committees on Intelligence and Armed Services voted on Monday, January 20, in favor of President Donald Trump's nominations of Pete Hegseth to head the Pentagon and John Ratcliffe to head the CIA.
According to CNN, 14 Republicans on the Armed Services Committee voted in favor of Hegseth's nomination, while all 13 Democrats were against him. The Republican Party also told reporters that the final vote on Hegseth's confirmation will take place this week.
According to Sen. John Cornyn, the vote in favor of Ratcliffe's nomination was favorable, with 14 in favor and three against. However, all three votes against the nomination came from Democrats.
During a Senate hearing to discuss his nomination for CIA director, Ratcliffe said he believes it is important to counter the threat from Beijing.
Earlier in the day, Trump took the oath of office in the Capitol rotunda, becoming the 47th President of the United States, reports "Gazeta.Ru". Along with him, Vice President Jay Dee Vance was sworn in. This is the second presidential term of Trump, the first time he was the American leader in 2017-2021. In his inaugural speech, the new US president announced the beginning of the "golden age of America".
Later the same day, Trump signed the first decrees and orders on appointments to the government. In addition, the head of state signed an order according to which the flags over government buildings were never lowered during the presidential inauguration. Until this morning, the flag was lowered in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away last month.
The election for the 47th president of the United States was held on Nov. 5. In the popular vote, Trump received 51% of the vote, while former US Vice President Kamala Harris received 47.4% of the vote. Speaking to supporters, the Republican said that his goal as head of state is to end military conflicts in the world.
