Amid Republican claims of “anonymous smears,” a named person — and a Hegseth, at that — accuses the defense secretary nominee of abusive behavior.

Last week, writing about Pete Hegseth’s hearing to be confirmed as secretary of defense, New York Times columnist David Brooks condemned the Senate committee’s Democrats for obsessing over the nominee’s “moral qualifications”—the allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual harassment—rather than his views on national security.

Sen. Roger Wicker, SAS Committee chairman, announced late Wednesday night that Hegseth still had the backing of Senate Republicans.

Maine's independent senator joins Democrats in voting against the Trump nominee over concerns about his answers regarding the rules of international warfare.