Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s contentious pick for defense secretary, narrowly cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Thursday, as Republicans demonstrated en masse that they are undeterred by the allegations of misconduct that have clouded his nomination.
The full Senate voted 51 to 49 to advance Hegseth’s nomination toward a final confirmation vote, expected Friday night, with two Republicans, moderate Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine), joining the chamber’s Democrats in opposing the former Fox News personality’s bid to run the Defense Department.
