Senate Republicans are expressing optimism that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Pentagon, earned the support he needs to be confirmed after he emerged mostly unscathed from his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on Monday said President-elect Trump’s nominee for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is “vulnerable” to blackmail from U.S. foreign adversaries and reiterated her stance that he is not “qualified” to run the Pentagon. “It would sow confusion because our leaders in the military would not know to what they could talk to…

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

In a heated Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, Sen. Tammy Duckworth grilled the proposed defense secretary over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, asking him if he could name one m

Francis Chung/POLITICO Entering his confirmation hearing to become secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth had been dogged by questions about his alcohol use, sexual assault allegations levied against him and his lack of experience at leading a complex government bureaucracy.

Elissa Slotkin, Michigan's new US senator, wanted to know if Pete Hegseth would reject an unlawful order to use the military against civilians.