Republican acknowledges criticism of Pete Hegseth as Fox News host appears at Senate confirmation hearing

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Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial pick for US secretary of defense, appeared at a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, as the military veteran and Fox News host weathers intense scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault, excessive alcohol use and financial mismanagement.

Hegseth can only afford to lose the votes of three Senate Republicans, assuming every Democratic senator opposes his nomination, and several Republican members have voiced concerns about Hegseth’s personal history and his views on women in the military.