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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. Pete Hegseth was sworn in as defense secretary today after the Senate confirmed his nomination by the narrowest of margins last night with Vice President Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. It's only the second time in history that a vice president was needed to break a tie for a cabinet-level nominee.
During his swearing-in ceremony, Hegseth said he has three priorities in his new job.
Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do. rebuild our military, and reestablish deterrence. We don't want to fight wars.
Hegseth survived a brutal fight with Democrats and a few Republicans who questioned his fitness to run the massive department with its nearly 3 million employees, which includes around 1.3 million active-duty service members, over allegations of financial mismanagement and sexual assault.
The former Fox News host and military veteran says the Defense Department has been weakened by woke generals and diversity programs. Israelis celebrated the release of four female soldiers held captive in Gaza, and Palestinians cheered the release of 200 prisoners and detainees. The successful swap came as the Gaza ceasefire is still holding a week after it started.
Palestinians in Gaza gave a rousing welcome to prisoners who arrived in the territory shortly after being freed by Israel. Most of the 200 Palestinians released were sent to their home areas in the West Bank or Gaza. But Israel insisted that 70 be sent into exile elsewhere in the region. Many were serving life sentences after being convicted of killings.
Earlier in the day, Hamas released the four female Israeli soldiers held in Gaza for more than 15 months. With the ceasefire intact, Israelis and Palestinians are scheduled to carry out similar swaps over the next several weeks. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
In California, there's new concern today in Altadena where residents are still recovering from the deadly Eaton Fire. That fire is now 95% contained, but people are now worried about the rain that's forecast. The National Weather Service says up to two inches could fall. Steve Futterman has more.
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