Summary

  • Former Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nominee for defence secretary, faced four hours of grilling by the Senate Armed Services Committee

  • He was challenged over previous comments made about women in the military; elsewhere he vowed to restore a "warrior ethos" to the Pentagon

  • Hegseth also dismissed questions over reports of his heavy drinking, calling them a "smear campaign"

  • The hearing was disrupted several times as Hegseth attempted to deliver his opening statement, with police removing protesters from the committee room, the BBC's Rachel Looker reports

  • The strategy to undermine his nomination appears likely to focus on three key areas: his qualifications, management experience and misconduct allegations, Anthony Zurcher writes

  • Hegseth is the first of Trump's nominees to be grilled as part of a process that will see them either approved or rejected for the roles the president-elect has nominated them for

Watch key moments from Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing

Live Reporting

Edited by Caitlin Wilson in Washington DC

  1. The main controversies surrounding Hegseth

    Pete Hegseth speaking to reportersReuters

    Hegseth's nomination has proved divisive - with three controversies in particular expected to come under sharp focus during today's hearing.

    Allegations of sexual assault: Hegseth was investigated over an alleged sexual assault at a California hotel in October 2017, during a Republican conference. He was never arrested or charged, and denies wrongdoing. He and the unnamed accuser reached a settlement in 2023, which Hegseth's lawyer said was a case of "successful extortion".

    Women in combat roles: Hegseth has previously suggested women should not serve in combat roles, arguing that "over human history, men in those positions are more capable".

    Alleged heavy drinking: US media have reported that Hegseth's drinking concerned his colleagues during previous roles at a veterans' advocacy group and Fox News. Spokespeople for Hegseth have dismissed the claims, and he has also reportedly told senators that he's stopped drinking and will remain sober if confirmed.

  2. Here on Capitol Hill, it's likely to get contentious

    Rachel Looker
    Reporting from Capitol Hill

    Good morning from a chilly Capitol Hill!

    I’m in the committee room in the Senate office buildings where we’re waiting for the start of the confirmation hearing of President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth.

    Hegseth has already had a bumpy journey on the path to nomination.

    The former Fox News host and National Guard veteran has faced sexual assault allegations. Hegseth denies all wrongdoing and was not arrested or charged. Others question his lack of experience and qualifications for a cabinet position.

    At one point, Trump reportedly considered replacing Hegseth as his pick with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

    But Hegseth persevered, meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to win over their support.

    The hearing is likely to get contentious. Democrats will push Hegseth to answer questions that prove he is unfit for the role.

    It will also be interesting to watch the Republicans - to see if any detractors withhold their support for Trump’s pick.

  3. A big day for Pete Hegseth - and Donald Trump

    Emily Atkinson
    Live editor, in Washington DC

    Pete Hegseth in suit and tieReuters

    With President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House next week, the Senate is holding confirmation hearings for his prospective cabinet members.

    The most high-profile of those hearings is due to start in just over an hour, with the turn of Trump's pick for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth.

    Since he was nominated, questions over the qualifications of the former Fox News host and military veteran have been raised - and a past sexual assault allegation has surfaced.

    Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, and was never arrested or charged.

    It's up to the Senate Armed Services committee to consider his nomination and qualifications, and to interrogate him over these allegations today.

    It's also a chance for the Democrats to try to convince some of the Republican members to waver in their support for Hegseth.

    The hearing is due to start at 09:30 EST (14:30 GMT) and promises to be fiery. Stay tuned.