Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he paid $50,000 to a woman who alleged he sexually assaulted her as part of a non-disclosure agreement,

The Senate advanced the nomination of Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump's defense secretary Thursday on a largely party-line vote, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.

Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s Defense Secretary nomination cleared a Senate procedural hurdle, pointing to a likely confirmation for one of Donald Trump’s most controversial picks. The vote was 51-49.