Pete Hegseth, nominated by Trump as Secretary of Defense, underwent a rigorous Senate confirmation hearing where he faced intense scrutiny regarding his views on women in combat roles and his overall fitness for the position. During the hearing, Hegseth expressed support for women serving in combat, countering previous criticism about his stance. Senators grilled him not just on his policies but also on his character and past actions, with concerns raised about his qualifications compared to military standards. Despite the challenges, Republican leadership indicated he has enough votes for confirmation, while demonstrators, including veterans, gathered in support of his nomination.