Senate Democrats grilled Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick for defense secretary, about allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking and his comments about women in combat. Hegseth said the allegations were part of a smear campaign in the media against him.

Pete Hegseth faces an important test on Tuesday — but he won’t just have to prove himself to the senators who immediately began sparring over his nomination as Defense Secretary. His confirmation hearings are also an opportunity for Hegseth to make his case to the sizable share of Americans who don’t know him or don’t approve of President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to tap him for this key role in his administration.