The Senate is set to hold a final confirmation vote on Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Defense secretary on Friday, a day after advancing his nomination by a slim margin with two Republicans opposing him.
Hegseth is expected to be confirmed. GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) were the only Republicans to vote against him in Thursday’s procedural vote. Hegseth can afford three GOP defections if all Democrats vote “no.”
Murkowski cited “significant concerns” about the bid, and Collins said his background and lack of management experience drove her vote.
A final vote will be Friday evening unless senators reach a deal to shrink the debate, which could be tough, given Democratic opposition to Hegseth.
As the Senate debates, President Trump will take his first trip since being sworn back in, visiting disaster areas in North Carolina and California.
The president surveyed damage from Tropical Storm Helene in Asheville, N.C., while on the campaign trail in October, and will return there for an update. He’ll then head to Los Angeles to witness the devastation from the wildfires that started earlier this month, leaving 28 people dead and thousands of structures destroyed.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he’ll greet his political rival when he gets off Air Force One.
The trip caps a whirlwind week for Trump, who has already taken impactful steps to reshape the government, including ending diversity programs, mobilizing the military to tackle illegal immigration and declaring the U.S. would leave international alliances.
Follow along for updates here all day.
Tags Donald Trump Gavin Newsom Kristi Noem Lisa Murkowski Pete Hegseth Susan Collins
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