Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary pick, grilled at contentious Senate hearing

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Mike Belleme / Mike Belleme

Who: Pete Hegseth

Hegseth, 44, served in the infantry and was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge.

Nominated for: U.S secretary of defense