Trump’s pick for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, blames media ‘smear campaign’ for allegations [Video]

Pete Hegseth, a U.S. combat veteran and TV host, is expected to face tough questions about his record, his experience and allegations of misconduct at a Senate confirmation hearing.

Republican president-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, came under fire early at a Senate confirmation hearing on matters ranging from diversity in the military to allegations of defending accused war criminals.

Hegseth’s performance before the Senate’s armed services committee could determine his fate, even as Republicans hold a six-seat advantage in the chamber overall. The slim Republican Senate majority means that Hegseth can lose support from no more than three senators to be confirmed, if Democrats and independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King unite against him.

Cabinet nominees almost never lose Senate votes, because they’re typically withdrawn if they seem to be in trouble.

Hegseth, who has little management experience, would be in …