Senate confirms Trump's picks for defense, homeland security

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wasting little time to fill two critical national security posts, the Republican-led Senate overwhelmingly confirmed the two retired Marine generals President Donald Trump tapped to run the Pentagon and secure America's borders.

Lawmakers last week passed legislation that Trump signed shortly after being sworn in that granted Mattis a one-time exception from the law that bars former U.S. service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job.

GOP lawmakers pushed for a speedy and smooth transition at the Pentagon to ensure Mattis would be fully in charge should a national security crisis erupt in the hours and days after Trump's inauguration.

Mattis is highly regarded on Capitol Hill for his character and judgment — traits that many Democrats believe make the retired four-star officer an essential bulwark against Trump's propensity for bluster and impulsiveness.

During a military career than lasted four decades, Mattis served in numerous senior military positions, including commander of U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

If Trump follows through on promises to toughen immigration enforcement, Kelly's agency will be responsible for buttressing the screening of immigrants permitted to enter the U.S. He'll also have to come up with the resources for locating and then deporting people living here illegally.