The Senate has voted 51 to 49 to advance Pete Hegseth’s nomination as the next secretary of defense, despite opposition from Democrats due to allegations of sexual assault, excessive alcohol use, and financial mismanagement. Despite objections from two Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, Hegseth’s nomination has been advanced for a confirmation vote later this week.
Hegseth, a former combat veteran and Fox News host, has denied the allegations of sexual assault, but paid a settlement to a woman who accused him of rape in 2017. A new claim has emerged from his former sister-in-law alleging abuse towards his second wife. Despite these controversies, the Senate has moved forward with his nomination.
In other news, Donald Trump has made a return to the world stage with a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, accusing oil producers of prolonging the Ukraine war and threatening tariffs on all US imports. Additionally, Trump signed executive orders declassifying federal records related to Kennedy and King assassinations, and creating a cryptocurrency working group. He also pardoned 23 anti-abortion protesters and ended security detail for three former administration officials.
The state department has frozen all applications for passports with “X” sex markers and Trump made headlines with a claim that Russia has lost 800,000 soldiers in the Ukraine war. Trump’s attempt to dismantle birthright citizenship was met with legal challenges from states, including California. The Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director and is set to hold a confirmation hearing for Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump’s pick for the Department of Health and Human Services on January 30.
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