WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 President-elect Donald Trump鈥檚 nominee for Secretary of Defense is expected to face his first public questioning from U.S. senators on Jan. 14.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told reporters Wednesday that the committee is planning to hold Pete Hegseth鈥檚 hearing in mid-January as the former Fox News host and veteran has visited Senate offices in an effort to rally Republicans around him. Some senators amid allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct.
Hegseth has told senators that he and pushed back on the reports of misbehavior, and Trump has publicly boosted his nomination, posting on his social media platform last week that 鈥淧ete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!鈥 Hegseth also with the president-elect over the weekend.
More confirmation hearings are expected after the new Republican Senate is sworn in on Jan. 3 and Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he wants to confirm Trump鈥檚 cabinet as quickly as possible once Trump is in office.
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The Associated Press