Overview

• Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host with limited political experience, is Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, overseeing a $800 billion budget and 3.5 million personnel.
• Republican Senator Joni Ernst, initially critical of Hegseth, announced her support after securing commitments on military sexual assault prevention and women's roles in combat.
• Hegseth faced sharp Democratic scrutiny during his Senate hearing over allegations of misconduct, including sexism, racism, and alcohol abuse, which he strongly denied.
• Democrats questioned Hegseth's policy knowledge, exposing gaps such as his inability to identify ASEAN member states, while Republicans largely avoided tough inquiries.
• Trump has maintained unwavering support for Hegseth despite controversies, as he seeks to finalize his cabinet ahead of his upcoming inauguration.