Several key U.S. Senate Republicans on Sunday defended President Donald Trump'sdecision to fire independent government watchdogs across at least 17 federal agencies, even though the move ran afoul of federal law.

As the ICC prosecutor files applications for warrants against the Taliban, the Senate is set to vote on sanctions in bill that would trigger action among other things if US citizens, allies are prosecuted.

Pete Hegseth's nomination once appeared on shaky ground amid allegations that included sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement.

Kristi Noem cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Friday, teeing up her final confirmation vote for early Sunday.

In a 51 to 49 vote Thursday, the Senate advanced Hegseth's nomination, with two Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition. The vote started the clock on up to 30 hours of debate as senators spar over the nominee, while the GOP barrels forward, expecting to finalize his confirmation in a vote late Friday evening.

The Senate has confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump’s plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.

The Senate on Friday night confirmed President Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, to become the country’s next defense secretary.

In brief remarks, he outlined what he said were his guiding principles: “Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence.”

The action removes oversight in many parts of his new administration, and some members of Congress are suggesting the dismissals violate federal oversight laws.

Trump had signed an order on his first day in office revoking the Biden administration's 2021 directive that allowed trans people to serve openly in the military, but the incoming EOs will go further.

An interview with Jennifer Rubin, co-founder of The Contrarian, about Trump's illegal firing of inspectors general, how Trump's rationale makes it much worse, and how Democrats can fight back.