The US Senate on Friday overwhelmingly voted to confirm retired Marine general James Mattis as defense secretary for President Donald Trump.

Mattis’s confirmation, the first action taken by senators after Trump was sworn in, passed by a 98-1 majority.

Lawmakers had first passed a special waiver allowing Mattis, who retired in 2013, to serve before a customary seven-year limit on former military personnel assuming the Pentagon’s top post.

That waiver was the first law Trump signed as president.

The Senate Friday also confirmed John Kelly, another retired Marine general, to head the Department of Homeland Security.

“These uniquely qualified leaders will immediately begin the important work of rebuilding our military, defending our nation and securing our borders,” Trump said in a statement.

“I am proud to have these two American heroes join my administration.”

Mattis has won accolades from both parties and many in the armed forces, and his path to the cabinet was relatively uncontroversial compared to that of many of Trump’s other nominees.

Source: Agencies