Trump 2nd term: ICE arrests 956 undocumented immigrants on Sunday

Sen. Susan Collins is the second Republican senator who will not be supporting Pete Hegseth's nomination for Secretary of Defense.

In a lengthy statement she said he "does not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed in the job."

She also expressed concern over Hegseth's comments about women serving in the military.

"He and I had a candid conversation in December about his past statements and apparently evolving views. I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed," she said.

The Senate advanced the nomination of Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump's defense secretary Thursday on a largely party-line vote, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military.

Two Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, broke ranks with Trump and his allies who have mounted an extensive public campaign to push Hegseth toward confirmation. The former combat veteran and Fox News host faces allegations of excessive drinking and aggressive actions toward women, which he has denied. The vote was 51-49, with a final vote on confirmation expected Friday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson held a bill signing ceremony for The Laken Riley Act, which cleared the House with bipartisan support on Wednesday.

The bill now heads to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed into law.

"This will be the first bill signed by the president ... This is the right thing to do," Johnson said.

He added, "We have a new commander in chief, a new sheriff in town who is willing to stand for border security, safety and sovereignty of the American people."

Vice President JD Vance is set to speak at the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C. on Friday. It will be his first public appearance since the inauguration, according to a press release from March for Life.

Other speakers in the lineup will be House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, among other lawmakers and activists.

Vance and President Donald Trump ran on a staunchly anti-abortion agenda. Trump often touted the fact that his Supreme Court picks led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.