Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, faces a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Thursday to advance his nomination.

Pete Hegseth’s nomination as secretary of defense has continued to barrel toward confirmation, additional stream of details of his patent unfitness for office be damned. Indeed, Senate Republicans seem determined to elevate Donald Trump’s nominee to one of the most powerful positions in government despite more reporting around his alleged rampant abuse of women and alcohol,

Senators vetting the nomination of Pete Hegseth for defense secretary received an affidavit from a former sister-in-law alleging that the onetime Fox News was abusive to his second wife to the point where she feared for her safety.

The Republican-led chamber, requiring only a simple majority, voted to clear a procedural step and set the stage for confirmation likely this weekend.

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's nominee for Defense secretary, received a positive vote from the Senate on Jan. 23 that would clear his path to confirmation despite receiving "no" votes from Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).

Trump said that Hegseth would bring a new perspective to the Pentagon and rebuild the “most powerful military in the world.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Thursday that she will vote against confirming Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon, becoming the first Republican to oppose one of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks ahead of a crucial test vote.

Hegseth, 44, is a combat veteran and former Fox News host. The committee voted along party lines to advance his nomination to the full Senate.

Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is facing stiff criticism from Democrats—but most Republicans back him.

Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth cleared a crucial Senate procedural hurdle despite new allegations of abusing a former wife, signaling likely support for his confirmation.

Collins was one of two Republican senators to break ranks and oppose Hegseth Thursday, but it didn't stop the nomination from moving forward.