Jan 24 WATCH: Senate narrowly confirms Pete Hegseth as Trump’s defense secretary By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation's defense secretary late Friday in a dramatic tie-breaking vote, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women. Continue reading
Jan 23 Senate advances Hegseth as Trump’s defense secretary despite misconduct allegations By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The Senate advanced the nomination of Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump's defense secretary Thursday on a largely party-line vote, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military. Continue reading
Jan 23 Senate confirms John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving Trump his 2nd Cabinet member By David Klepper, Associated Press Ratcliffe said that if confirmed, he would push the CIA to do more to harness technologies such as AI and quantum computing while expanding use of human intelligence collection. Democrats raised questions about Ratcliffe’s objectivity and whether his loyalty to… Continue reading
Jan 21 Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law alleges in affidavit he was abusive to second wife By Farnoush Amiri, Tara Copp, Associated Press The affidavit describes Hegseth’s treatment of his second wife, Samantha, and alleges repeat drunkenness and a domestic situation where Samantha Hegseth had a safe word to indicate if she was in danger at home. Danielle Hegseth said Samantha texted that… Continue reading
Jan 21 WATCH: Vance swears in Marco Rubio as secretary of state By Associated Press Vice President JD Vance, who served as a senator alongside Marco Rubio, called him a “bipartisan solutions seeker.”… Continue reading
Jan 21 WATCH: Doug Collins testifies at Senate confirmation hearing for VA secretary By Molly Finnegan Collins, a former Georgia congressman, testified Tuesday before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for his confirmation hearing to become the next secretary of Veterans Affairs… Continue reading
Jan 21 WATCH: Elise Stefanik testifies at Senate confirmation hearing for ambassador to the UN By Farnoush Amiri, Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press Stefanik opened her confirmation hearing Tuesday for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations by pledging to implement President Donald Trump’s “America First” mandate and roll out a review of U.S. funding for some of the world body’s agencies. Continue reading
Jan 17 WATCH: Kristi Noem testifies at Senate confirmation hearing for DHS secretary By Rebecca Santana, Stephen Groves, Associated Press Noem, Donald Trump's pick to lead the agency central to his vision of cracking down on illegal immigration, faced senators Friday at a confirmation hearing that will be her first chance to lay out her vision for the sprawling Department… Continue reading
Jan 16 WATCH: Scott Bessent testifies at Senate confirmation hearing for treasury secretary By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press U.S. Treasury nominee Scott Bessent on Thursday faced sharp questions from both Democrats and Republicans on tax policy, tariffs, China, Russia sanctions and the future of an IRS tax filing system that Republicans have called to be cut. Continue reading
Jan 16 South Dakota tribe lifts its ban on Noem ahead of her Homeland Security confirmation hearing By Associated Press Gov. Kristi Noem was cut off from entering a wide swath of tribal lands in South Dakota early last year after making public comments that tribal leaders were catering to drug cartels on their reservations. Continue reading