Trump ‘very surprised’ by Murkowski, Collins votes against Hegseth

President Trump on Friday said 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.

“I was very surprised that Collins and Murkowski would do that,” Trump said.

The president also nodded to the yes vote from Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to advance Hegseth's nomination, saying he is “always a no vote. Was Mitch a no vote? How about Mitch?” McConnell voted to advance Hegseth’s confirmation.

“Let’s see what happens,” the president said.

The Senate voted largely along party lines, 51-49, to advance Hegseth on Thursday, with the two Republicans opting along with all Democrats to oppose him. The vote sets the stage for a final confirmation vote Friday, with Hegseth expected to secure the majority support he needs.

Trump also defended Hegseth when asked if he was concerned about his confirmation process.

“Look, whatever it is, it is. He’s a good man. I don’t know what’s going to happen — you never know in those things. But, Pete’s a very, very good man. I hope he makes it; I hope he makes it,” the president said.

The president has defended Hegseth, who retired with the rank of major with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, throughout controversies around an alleged history of heavy drinking, infidelity and, in a 2017 case, sexual assault, which he has denied.

Trump has touted Hegseth as someone who would bring a fresh perspective to the leadership of the Pentagon and move past the “political agendas” of the Biden administration.

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