Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick for Defense secretary, repeated his claim Tuesday that he is the target of a "smear campaign" when faced with pointed questions from lawmakers over his fitness to lead the military amid misconduct allegations.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, was grilled on Capitol Hill today during his Senate confirmation hearing. NBC News’ Garrett Haake reports the latest. Former aide to President George W.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R., Miss.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, opened the hearing by asking Pete Hegseth to address allegations from “anonymous sources.” Hegseth called allegations of sexual assault and other claims a “coordinated smear campaign” from left-wing media,

Senators grilled secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth over sexual assault and misconduct allegations at his confirmation hearing Tuesday. Evan McMorris-Santoro, reporter for NOTUS, and Andrew Desiderio,

The Pentagon chief nominee said the accusations of alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and financial mismanagement were driven by the ‘left-wing media.’

Awkward exchanges about the defense secretary hopeful’s past were plentiful as Democrats went after the first embattled Trump pick to face a confirmation hearing.

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