Washington, April 27 (RHC)-- Former CIA director Mike Pompeo was sworn in on Thursday afternoon as the 70th U.S. secretary of state, after the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination, overcoming steep opposition by Democrats against President Donald Trump's pick. 

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath on Thursday afternoon, after Senators voted 57-42 in favor of Pompeo, who is accused by Democrats of being hawkish and harboring a deep hatred against Muslims. 

Pompeo's confirmation came after Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) reversed his position and announced his support for Trump's pick.  "After calling continuously for weeks for Director Pompeo to support President Trump's belief that the Iraq war was a mistake, and that it is time to leave Afghanistan, today I received confirmation that Director Pompeo agrees with President Trump," Rand said explaining his decision. 

Pompeo's nomination faced historic opposition from Democrats. 

However, at the end Democratic Senators Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Bill Nelson. (Fla.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.) joined with Democratic Sen. Doug Jones (Ala.) and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) to support Pompeo's nomination. 

"In his role at the CIA, Mr. Pompeo has demonstrated the ability to be an effective manager and operator on the world stage," Senator Jones said in a statement explaining his decision to back Pompeo.