Acting defense secretary sworn in as Hegseth awaits confirmation

The Pentagon on Monday swore in Robert G. Salesses as the acting secretary of Defense while President Trump's nominee Pete Hegseth awaits Senate confirmation.

Salesses was sworn in just after noon, according to a defense official. NBC News first reported on his swearing-in.

Salesses is the deputy director of the Washington Headquarters Services at the Defense Department.

In the role, Salesses had served as a principal adviser to the director overseeing operational services to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the various departments in the military, defense agencies, Congress, and the White House.

Salesses previously testified in 2021 to a Senate committee about the Pentagon's response to the Jan. 6, 2021, rioting at the Capitol.

Salesses has also served in roles including assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security and deputy assistant secretary of defense for defense continuity and mission assurance.

Salesses is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer who won the Bronze Star Medal for his service in the Gulf War.

Hegseth, whose nomination appeared in jeopardy amid a series of allegations, now appears to have the votes for confirmation after a pressure campaign from Trump and his allies. He faces an initial confirmation vote in the Senate Armed Services Committee Monday evening, with a full Senate vote expected by the end of the week.

Trump was sworn in as the 47th president at noon Monday, and political appointees from the Biden administration were preparing to leave office last week and through the weekend.