The Oklahoma Republican tried to defend Hegseth against allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse. It didn't go especially well.

Hegseth says he will be a “change agent” and a “warrior” as Republicans demand new and strong leadership at the Pentagon.

Hegseth responded at the heated Senate confirmation hearing that he couldn’t tell Duckworth the exact number of ASEAN nations, but that “I know we have allies in South Korea and Japan in AUKUS (a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S.) with Australia.”

Pete Hegseth could hardly be more suited to be Donald Trump’s secretary of Defense — even though he’d surely be deemed unqualified by any conventional president.

It’s time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent,” Hegseth said in his opening remarks.

Former Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nominee for defence secretary, is being grilled by a Senate committee - watch live above Hegseth just entered the room and is met with loud applause from members of the public in attendance.