CNN’s Manu Raju says former Republican senate leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) voted “no” against Pete Hegseth’s confirmation for Defense Secretary indicating McConnell may be a bit of a wild card in the Republican Senate caucus.

Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law gave an affidavit to the Senate Armed Services Committee accusing him of being “abusive” toward his second ex-wife, according to a copy of the affidavit obtained by CNN.

The Senate narrowly voted to confirm embattled Pete Hegseth as secretary of the Department of Defense, in a major win for President Donald Trump and his new administration.

The Iowa senator supports Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary, despite allegations of assault and drinking — but she doesn’t want to talk about it.

Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law gave an affidavit to the Senate Armed Services Committee accusing him of being “abusive” toward his second ex-wife, according to a copy of the affidavit ...

(CNN) — Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee to ... CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Haley Britzky Michael Conte, Lauren Fox, Kaanita Iyer, Manu Raju and Haley Talbot contributed to this report.

Pete Hegseth’s ex-wife recently gave a new statement to the FBI about the defense nominee’s alcohol use, according to two sources familiar with the matter, an issue that has become a source of controversy during his confirmation process.

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he paid $50,000 as part of a confidentiality agreement to a woman who alleged he sexually assaulted her,

GOP senator Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, a known “watchdog” for IGs, said Congress wasn’t given the 30 days’ notice from the White House required by federal law.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) broke ranks with Republicans and opposed President Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth during a Senate procedural vote that narrowly advanced the nomination to a confirmation vote.

The White House budget office has ordered a pause on all federal grants and loans. The freeze could impact trillions in government spending and halt public programs affecting millions of Americans. Follow for live updates.