Pete Hegseth, the controversial former Fox News host, has been accused of sexual assault and faces a grueling confirmation hearing on the path to becoming the next secretary of defense.

Lawmakers and allies weighed in on Trump's defense secretary nominee and the questioning he faced from senators during his confirmation hearing.

Asked directly about the sexual assault allegation, Hegseth dismissed it as a “smear campaign” as he portrayed himself as unfairly attacked.

Texas, described the week of hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominations as a “train wreck,” as many nominees face uncertain Republican votes. NBC News’ Ryan Noble reports on the week ahead featuring Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth.

Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary is heading into a potentially explosive Senate confirmation hearing.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators immediately began sparring Tuesday over President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary Pete Hegseth ... advice for Hegseth, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas ...

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth ... Asked about advice for Hegseth, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, referred to that earlier example.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth ... Asked about advice for Hegseth, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, referred to that earlier example.

Hegseth denies the allegations outlined in the affidavit, which says he was abusive to his second wife to the point where she feared for her safety.

On the same day Trump ordered 1,500 troops to the Southern border to repel a non-existent “invasion,” 46 Democrats joined every House Republican in voting for the Laken Riley Act, a police state measure that requires the incarceration of undocumented immigrants simply accused of petty crimes.

After months of teasing pardons for Capitol rioters, Trump granted them to roughly 1,500 individuals convicted of January 6-related crimes in one of his first acts of his second term