Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, emerged from a tense confirmation hearing on Tuesday with newfound momentum, signaling an increasingly likely path to Senate approval. The four-hour hearing saw Hegseth facing sharp, often combative questioning from Democratic senators, while Republicans rallied in his defense, transforming what initially appeared to be an uncertain confirmation process.

Hegseth, a former Army officer and Fox News contributor, was scrutinized by Democrats for his controversial comments on military diversity initiatives and his strong advocacy for overhauling Pentagon bureaucracy. Despite the pointed criticism, Hegseth remained composed, firmly defending his views and policy proposals.