International

The Senate voted to confirm President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Defense, Mark Esper. The Senate overwhelmingly voted 90-8 to confirm him.

Esper, who had been serving as Army secretary, is now expected to be successfully installed as the Pentagon's newest chief — replacing acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who withdrew his name from consideration after reports of domestic violence incidents involving his family surfaced.

The Pentagon has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since December, when former Secretary James Mattis stepped down following Mr. Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria.