Watch Pete Hegseth’s Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense

On By Littum

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President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to appear before the Senate today for his confirmation hearing.

Hegseth has come under scrutiny since Trump announced the veteran and former Fox News media pundit as his pick to head the Defense Department. Hegseth’s nomination has caused a stir on Capitol Hill due to numerous allegations about his personal and professional life, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. Hegseth has been accused of sexual assaultand a whistleblower report alleged that the combat veteran had been forced out by non-profit groups for personal misconduct, mismanagement of funds and intoxication on the job, USA TODAY reported.

All of this is expected to take center stage as Hegseth faces tough questions from Senate Democrats Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill.

“There are major character questions that have been raised about his conduct that need to be considered,” Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee — who will chair Tuesday’s hearing, said in an interview with USA TODAY.

Hegseth has stated that he is a changed man in recent interviews, “I’m a different man than I was years ago, and it’s a redemption story that I think a lot of Americans appreciate.”

Here’s everything to know about the Senate confirmation hearing and how to watch it:

Pete Hegseth confirmation hearing: Watch from the Senate chambers

The hearing is expected to begin on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. CT, according to the Defense Committee’s websitewhich says it will have a live video.

Who is Pete Hegseth?

Hegseth is a conservative media expert who last month was nominated for the role of defense secretary under Trump. Upon news of his nomination, Hegseth stepped down from his role at Fox News, which he has held since 2014.

In a statement Trump announced Hegseth’s nomination, he touted his unorthodox candidate’s time in service as an Army combat veteran and his belief that Hegseth could handle one of the top jobs in the United States government.

“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our military will be great again and America will never back down,” Trump wrote in a statement Tuesday night.

Hegseth’s military career included service as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard with deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. Hegseth also served as CEO of Concerned Veterans for America.

Hegseth and his family also call Middle Tennessee home.

They moved to Sumner County, just outside of Nashville, about two years ago, and in 2023, Hegseth hosted the 5th annual Fox Nation Patriot Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House.