Hegseth fights back against ‘smear campaign’ as Democrats charge he is unqualified to lead Pentagon

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Defense Department, fought back against allegations of personal misconduct, sexual assault, and excessive drinking, as well as overall questions over his lack of qualifications to lead the Pentagon on Tuesday.

For more than four hours, Hegseth was grilled by Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee while Republicans came to his defense and praised his “warrior mentality” as they look to shepherd him over the finish line as Trump’s secretary of defense.