Judging by what I've heard from my Republican colleagues, I think the odds of his being approved are still less than 50-50.

You're hearing dissenting voices among your Republican colleagues.

I am hearing from Republican colleagues grave doubts about his ability to do this job in a way that upholds our national security.

There are too many doubts, too many risks, and threats to our national security from

this appointment.

I think my Republican colleagues are really deeply troubled.

And to be really blunt, if the fear of Donald Trump and his potential retribution were

less, there's no question that this nomination would go down and go down heavily.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal yesterday with his assessment on where support currently

stands for Pete Hegseth.

Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary Hegseth was in Washington again yesterday morning

with Republican senators and two of the president-elect's other controversial cabinet picks

where on the hill they were there as well.

We'll have more about those key meetings.

We'll also have reaction from lawmakers who Donald Trump said should be jailed for their role in investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

Plus, the very latest from Syria, including an inside look at the prison

where toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad held and tortured those who opposed his regime.

Good morning and welcome to Morning Joe. It is Wednesday, December 11th. Host of way too early for now,

Jonathan Lemire is with us. And we'll begin this morning with our top story, the man accused of

killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, fighting extradition to New York.

Luigi Manjone made that decision during a hearing in Pennsylvania yesterday where he is facing

charges for forgery and carrying a gun without a license.

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