Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Thursday she will vote against confirming Pete Hegseth to lead Pentagon, becoming the first Republican to oppose one of President Donald Trump’s cabinet picks.The Alaska Republican’s decision comes ahead of a crucial test vote to advance Hegseth’s nomination toward confirmation.

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Thursday to advance his nomination.

Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen ... Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer implored his colleagues to think seriously, “Is this the best man we have to lead the greatest military in the ...

Lisa Murkowski announced Thursday that she ... Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that Hegseth is unqualified for the job because of his personal behavior, including drinking ...

A Princeton and Harvard-educated former combat veteran, Hegseth went on to make a career at Fox News, where he hosted a weekend show. Trump tapped him as the defense secretary to lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.

On Saturday, Republicans joined in with the criticism. Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, 91, a staunch Trump ally, said in a statement obtained by CNN that Congress wasn’t notified in advance of the firings in adherence to the law.

Anti-establishment conservatives who opposed Thune for leader are satisfied but cautiously optimistic, as Trump turns up the pressure to confirm his nominees.

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is demanding answering after President Donald Trump fired inspectors general in a Friday evening layoff spree.

Dave McCormick's vote helped Hegseth overcome three GOP defections for be confirmed as secretary of defense. Democrat John Fetterman voted no.

President Donald Trump fired the inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies in a Friday night purge, according to a Trump administration official, paving the way for him to install his own picks for the independent watchdog roles.

The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary on Saturday, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump’s plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.

Pete Hegseth was confirmed as defense secretary late Friday by the U.S. Senate after Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 tie as Senate president.