Even as handicappers adjudged Pete Hegseth ’s confirmation as secretary of Defense to be all but certain, not one but two Republican senators indicated a hard pass on the poorly qualified bad boy from Fox News.

Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Thursday that she would vote against confirming Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense. The state's other senator, Dan Sullivan, said he supports Hegseth.

The Alaska Republican’s decision Thursday comes ahead of a crucial test vote to advance Hegseth’s nomination toward confirmation.

The Senate is expected to make a final confirmation vote for Pete Hegseth's defense secretary appointment under the Trump administration on Friday.

WASHINGTON — The Senate is muscling Pete Hegseth's nomination as defense secretary toward confirmation Friday, prioritizing his vow to create a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon over allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women.

The procedural vote of 51-49 put the Fox News host on the path for approval Friday evening, after senators engage in 30 hours of debate. If McConnell would’ve voted “no,” it would’ve forced Vice President J.D. Vance to break a tie on the Senate floor.

President Donald Trump said Friday that he wasn’t expecting Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) to vote against his controversial nominee for secretary of

Sen. Lisa Murkowski is opposing the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be President Donald Trump's Defense secretary.

Senators voted 51-49 to advance Hegseth's defense secretary bid, which has been mired in several controversies. Two Republicans oppose him.

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican, predicted that Pete Hegseth will be confirmed as Defense secretary Friday evening and that Democratic opposition would target Tulsi Gabbard next.

Two Republican senators publicly announced they would vote against the confirmation of Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s cabinet pick for defense secretary.