Pete Hegseth Faces Senate Confirmation Hearing

Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense is set for Tuesday, amidst intense scrutiny over his past conduct and lack of leadership experience. Senate Democrats plan to challenge him on allegations of sexual assault, drinking incidents, and his controversial views on women in the military. They express concerns about his qualifications to manage a large workforce and budget, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer emphasizing the importance of the role. Hegseth has faced accusations from Sen. Richard Blumenthal regarding his availability for meetings and potential financial mismanagement of veteran organizations he previously led. Despite these challenges, some GOP senators believe he has enough support to be confirmed, needing no more than three Republican defections if all Democrats oppose him. Hegseth's ties to a right-wing Christian movement are also under scrutiny, highlighting his controversial social and political affiliations.