The top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee told Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth he’s unsuitable to lead a department with 3.5 million service members and civilian employees and an annual budget of nearly $900 billion.

The committee’s Republican chairman and its top Democrat were briefed on F.B.I. findings into Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s defense secretary pick. Democrats questioned whether there were gaps.

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, underwent his Senate confirmation hearings on Tuesday, where senators scrutinized his fitness for the role due to his past as a combat veteran and TV host.

During hearing, Sen. Jack Reed says Pete Hegseth 'lacks the character and composure' to hold position of secretary defense - Anadolu Ajansı

Senator Reed noted that he has voted for all of the previous eight defense secretary nominees regardless of party, though this time will mark the

Even though Trump has not officially been inaugurated, the Senate can confirm cabinet members before his Oath of Office.

Senate Democrats grilled Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick for defense secretary, about allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking and his comments about women in combat. Hegseth said the allegations were part of a smear campaign in the media against him.

It’s time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent,” Hegseth said in his opening remarks.

By Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, came under fire during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday as the top Democrat on the Senate committee accused him of lacking the "character and composure" to lead the U.

Culture wars and personal issues are expected to dominate a hearing for Donald Trump’s choice to be the country's next defense secretary, Pete Hegseth.