A cloud of controversy has hung over Hegseth, but he now appears to be on track to be confirmed as Trump's defense secretary.

Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law said in an affidavit to senators on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon abused his second ex-wife to the point where she once hid in a closet and gave friends a code word to use in a crisis.

The GOP-controlled Senate Armed Services Committee voted 14–13 along party lines to advance Hegseth’s nomination Monday afternoon, an early victory for Trump as he attempts to get his cabinet confirmed as quickly as possible.

In a private vote, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved Mr. Hegseth’s nomination strictly along party lines on a vote of 14 to 13, with Republicans voting as a bloc to move it to the floor and Democrats unanimously opposed.

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday voted to advance Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of Defense, to the floor. The 14-13 vote was strictly along party

Pete Hegseth’s controversial nomination as defense secretary moved a step closer to confirmation with the Senate Armed Services Committee recommending him to the job on party lines. U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., voted Monday against Hegseth, citing a lack of managerial experience and “concerning personal issues.”