The Senate voted 52–46 on Tuesday to confirm Anthony Tata as the Defense Department’s new undersecretary for personnel and readiness, placing him in a key position to help steer workforce policy under President Trump’s second term.
In the role, Tata will advise the defense secretary on matters ranging from the management of military and civilian personnel, force readiness and health affairs, National Guard operations, and education and training. He will also help implement Trump administration reforms, including cost-cutting efforts tied to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
A retired Army brigadier general and West Point graduate, Tata previously served as acting undersecretary of defense for policy during Trump’s first term. Tata later became a political commentator and continued to support Trump’s defense agenda.
He replaces Jules Hurst, who had been serving in an acting capacity.
