Vice President JD Vance was forced to step in after Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell broke ranks and voted against Hegseth.

The trip comes days after the president said he would “rather see the states take care of their own problems” while complaining about federal disaster response in an interview

"Mr President, why did you invite Adam Schiff on your trip if you called him scum?" an off-camera reporter then asked.

"Our troops deserve better than someone as erratic and unqualified as Pete Hegseth," he added. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said: "We deserve a Secretary of Defense with solid experience ...

Mark Halperin gave his analysis on the recent Senate hearings for Trump cabinet nominations: MARK HALPERIN: On Capitol Hill, we could spend an hour on each of the six hearings. I've been lobbied all day by different people to emphasize different parts of the hearings,

Republicans in the Senate and the Trump transition should not get too confident. There are plenty of nominees still to go. But so far, the nominees who have performed have done so exceptionally well. The second Trump administration is already off to a much stronger start than the first.

Donald and Melania Trump are stopping in North Carolina, California and Nevada during the first second term trip. Follow along for live updates.

The Senate on Friday night voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary after Vice President JD Vance stepped in to cast the tiebreaking vote. Hegseth’s nomination had been hampered by allegations of misconduct.

Donald and Melania Trump will stop in North Carolina, California and Nevada during the first trip of his second term. Follow along for live updates.

Pete Hegseth has been sworn in as US defence secretary after the Senate confirmed his nomination by the smallest possible margin. Vice-President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in Hegseth's favour on Friday night, after three Republican senators ...

Pete Hegseth, a former combat veteran and TV news show host, says he will be a "change agent" and a "warrior" for the department as Republicans demand new and strong leadership in the Pentagon.

And the Senate around 9 p.m. is expected to hold a final confirmation vote for Pete Hegseth ... from across the USA TODAY Network. Sen. Adam Schiff, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump ...