Live updates: Democrats turn up heat on Hegseth as Republican alleges hypocrisy
Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, the first of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet candidates to face confirmation.
Democrats tried to land blows in a number of fiery exchanges that focused on past allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement — all of which the former Fox News host denies.
Republicans, meanwhile, seemed to circle the wagons around Hegseth, defending his character and his ability to lead the massive agency.
Hegseth’s is the only hearing slated for Tuesday, as two other nominees saw their appearances delayed, but the remainder of the week will have more than a dozen hearings across a wide variety of Senate committees.
Also at the Capitol on Tuesday, House leaders continue to develop a plan for how to advance Trump’s agenda once he takes office, as well as for how to fund the government and send disaster aid to California.
And early Tuesday morning, the special counsel Jack Smith’s report on his investigation into whether Trump committed election interference was made public.
The Hegseth hearing started at 9:30 a.m. EST.
Follow along for live updates below.
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