President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is heading into a potentially explosive confirmation hearing Tuesday as senators question whether the former combat veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the U.

Lawmakers and allies weighed in on Trump's defense secretary nominee and the questioning he faced from senators during his confirmation hearing.

Asked directly about the sexual assault allegation, Hegseth dismissed it as a “smear campaign” as he portrayed himself as unfairly attacked.

Some are expected to have smooth confirmation paths, like Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, while others, like defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth, face headwinds.

Trump’s nominee to run the defense department is an accused rapist who’s also expressed admiration for the Confederacy. His confirmation hearings start Tuesday.

Confirmation hearings get underway this week on Capitol Hill, as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is scheduled to appear Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, has publicly faced senators for the first time.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth ... Asked about advice for Hegseth, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, referred to that earlier example.

Pete Hegseth, the controversial former Fox News host, has been accused of sexual assault and faces a grueling confirmation hearing on the path to becoming the next secretary of defense.

Senators opened a potentially explosive confirmation hearing Tuesday for President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, who calls himself a “change agent” as senators determine whether the former combat veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the U.

President-elect Donald Trump's choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, faces a challenging confirmation hearing due to past allegations and controversial views. Despite support from GOP allies and veterans' groups,

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced that he will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, increasing the nominee’s chances of becoming the next head