President Donald Trump said Friday he's "very surprised" GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against Pete Hegseth's nomination as defense secretary.

"I was very surprised that Collins and Murkowski would do that," Trump told reporters as he left the White House, Politico reported.

Murkowski, of Alaska, on Thursday said she would vote against Hegseth, citing his past infidelity and allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking.

"While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces," Murkowski wrote in a post on X.

"These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers. Men and women in uniform are held accountable for such actions, and they deserve leaders who uphold these same standards."

Hegseth, a combat veteran, has vehemently denied allegations of sexual assault.

Collins, of Maine, also in a post on X, wrote that she would vote against Hegseth. Her concerns were similar to Murkowski's.

"While I appreciate his courageous military service and his ongoing commitment to our servicemembers and their families, I am concerned that he does not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed in the job," she wrote.

The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced Hegseth's nomination Monday on a party-line vote. On Thursday, Hegseth's nomination passed a key test vote to end debate 51-49 that set the table for Friday's final vote. Murkowski and Collins voted no on that motion, which only required a simple majority to advance. Murkowski and Collins were again expected to vote against Hegseth on Friday.

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