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 Defense, Army veteran and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth.

Mitch McConnell voted Thursday to put Pete Hegseth on the brink of confirmation to become the nation’s next defense secretary. The procedural vote of 51-49 put the Fox News host on the path for approval Friday evening,

The vote broke the Senate filibuster and sets up a final confirmation vote, which will likely take place Friday. Democrat John Fetterman voted against advancing Hegseth for secretary of defense.

At the White House, President Donald Trump said he was surprised that two senators have publicly said they'll vote against his nominee to lead the Defense Department.

All but two Republicans voted to advance Pete Hegseth’s nomination as secretary of defense to a final vote, as Democrats raced to bolster fresh allegations about his personal conduct.

The usual RINOs may vote against President Donald Trump’s secretary of defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, causing a tie vote.

Senate Republicans are steamrolling ahead on Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon, and a new report detailing allegations of abusive behavior by the nominee have seemingly not dissuaded

Even the president isn’t sure if his defense-secretary pick can squeak through what is expected to be an extremely close confirmation vote in the Republican-controlled Senate.

"So that's the two senators that are out. Mitch McConnell is in as is all as are all the other senators in the conference." The post ‘Mitch McConnell Is In’: Fox News Reports On Ex-Host Pete Hegseth Clearing Key Vote Ahead of Likely Confirmation first appeared on Mediaite.

Despite the uncertainty, the Armed Services Committee recommended his nomination on Jan 20. thanks to a contested 14-13 vote, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) voting no after missing votes earlier that day. Former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) voted in favor to advance Hegseth's nomination despite concerns he would oppose it.

Maine, breaks with party to vote against Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary. Can he still get confirmed?