National Security

Senate votes 98-1 to confirm Mattis as Trump’s defense secretary

By Jacqueline Klimas
Published January 20, 2017 10:08pm ET
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Senate votes 98-1 to confirm Mattis as Trump’s defense secretary
Mattis' nomination to be the Pentagon's top civilian easily passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner) | Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner

The Senate easily confirmed retired Gen. James Mattis to be the next defense secretary on Friday, shortly after President Trump took the oath of office, making Mattis the first confirmed member of the new Cabinet.

Mattis’ nomination to be the Pentagon’s top civilian easily passed the Senate in a 98-1 vote. The only “no” vote came from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, who is Trump’s nominee for attorney general, didn’t vote.

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