India, Jan. 28 -- Former news anchor and political commentator Pete Hegseth officially took the oath of office as the United States Secretary of Defense. The ceremony, held just hours after his confirmation by the Senate, was a family affair as Hegseth's wife, Jennifer Rauchet, and their seven children proudly looked on.

Vice President JD Vance administered the oath, following a dramatic Senate vote in which Vance broke a 50-50 tie to secure Hegseth's confirmation. "We don't want to fight wars. But if we do, we will bring overwhelming force and destroy our enemy," Hegseth said first after swearing-in. "We will put America first. We will bring peace through strength."

During his remarks, the new defence secretary laid out his vision for ...