The Utah Republican was one of a few GOP senators who had not declared how he would vote on Hegseth’s nomination. This makes Hegseth much more likely to clinch the Cabinet position.

Even though Trump has not officially been inaugurated, the Senate can confirm cabinet members before his Oath of Office.

During his confirmation hearing, Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee couldn’t name a single member of the Southeast Asian bloc.

Why should women in our military, if you were the Secretary of Defense, believe that they would have a fair shot and an equal opportunity to rise through the ranks?”

The 10-nation bloc, known as ASEAN, has been useful for the United States in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. Many member nations have territorial disputes with China, which has become increasingly assertive in pressing those claims.