The Senate voted largely along party lines Thursday to advance Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of Defense, brushing aside a litany of misconduct allegations and the objections of Democrats who argued he is unqualified for the job.

The 51-49 vote to end debate on Hegseth’s nomination sets the stage for a final confirmation vote on Friday, when he is expected to secure the majority support he needs to join Trump’s Cabinet.

Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) voted against Hegseth.

Trump has touted Hegseth as someone who would bring a fresh perspective to the leadership of the Pentagon, move past the “political agendas” of the Biden administration and help build the “most powerful military in the world.”

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, who strongly supported Hegseth throughout the confirmation process, argued that the American people gave Trump “a clear mandate” to reform Washington.

He called Hegseth a “good choice” who would be “open to new ideas” and “not beholden to the status quo.”

Democrats, however, panned Hegseth as completely unqualified and unfit to lead the nation’s armed forces given his lack of managerial experience and multiple allegations of misbehavior.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) on Thursday called Hegseth, a former Fox News host who retired from the Army with the rank of major,........

© The Hill