During his introductory speech, Hegseth was interrupted several times when demonstrators shouted obscenities and other insults at him.
At the same time, several others chanted "USA, USA, USA" in support of him, reports NBC.
It's true that I don't have a background similar to the last 30 years' defense ministers, he said finally, a statement that both supporters and opponents emphasize.
Supports Israel
When Hegseth resumed speaking after the interruption in the committee hearing, he said he would work for a "warrior culture" within the Pentagon.
He (Trump) wants, just like me, the Pentagon to be super-focused on meritocracy, warfare, accountability, and preparedness.
In the hearings, he said that all those who were discharged from the military for refusing to get vaccinated during the covid pandemic should receive a public apology and be reinstated. He couldn't say how Trump's plan to end the Ukraine war within 100 days would work. However, he said about the war in Gaza:
I support Israel's right to crush and kill all members of Hamas, to the last man.
Hegseth has been a national guardsman and has served in Cuba and Iraq, but is considered inexperienced and has made headlines when he has questioned women in combat roles in the military and politically correct "woke" programs.
The Democrats on the committee strongly criticized Hegseth on the issue of women in the military, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand accused him of undermining morale in the military.
You will have to change your view on women to do your job, she said.
Allegations of Abuse
The former Fox News employee is described as one of the president-elect's more controversial appointments, not least because he was investigated for suspected sexual abuse, which he denies.
The committee chairman, Republican Roger Wicker, acknowledged that the nomination was "unorthodox", but gave Hegseth his full support.
Wicker dismissed the abuse allegations briefly, saying that Hegseth had admitted to "mistakes", "which we all make from time to time".
Hegseth himself called the allegations "slander".
The questioning will be followed this week by many other Trump ministerial candidates. The hearings are a first step for the candidates to be approved by the Senate. This can only happen after Donald Trump is sworn in as the next US president, which takes place on Monday.
44-year-old Pete Hegseth has been a commentator and program host on Fox News since 2014.
He has been a national guardsman and has served in Cuba and Iraq.
Hegseth was investigated in 2017 for suspected sexual abuse, but no charges were filed.
The events allegedly took place at a hotel in Monterey, California, where a Republican women's association had a convention.
He denies the allegations and claims that the sexual encounter was consensual. Through his lawyer, Hegseth has admitted to paying the woman in question a sum of money in 2020 when she threatened to sue him. He explains this by saying he was afraid of losing his job in a time marked by the #MeToo movement.
Politically, he has questioned women's role in combat and opposed a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Trump's candidates to be questioned in various Senate committees:
Tuesday, January 14:
Pete Hegseth, military veteran and program host: Defense Minister
Wednesday, January 15:
Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota: Minister for Homeland Security
Pam Bondi, former prosecutor and congresswoman from Florida: Attorney General
Sean Duffy, congressman, reality TV participant, and Fox profile: Transportation Minister
John Ratcliffe, former intelligence chief and former congressman from Texas: CIA Director
Marco Rubio, Senator from Florida: Foreign Minister
Chris Wright, oil industry executive: Energy Minister
Russell Vought, budget chief under Trump's previous presidency: Budget Chief
Thursday, January 16:
Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota: Interior Minister
10 a.m.: Scott Turner, businessman and former NFL player: Housing and Urban Development Minister
Lee Zeldin, former congressman from New York: Head of the Environmental Protection Agency EPA
Scott Bessent, hedge fund manager on Wall Street: Finance Minister
Tuesday, January 21:
Doug Collins, former congressman from Georgia: Minister responsible for Veterans' Affairs
Not yet confirmed dates:
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, congresswoman from Oregon: Labor Minister
Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii: National Intelligence Director
Robert F Kennedy, activist and lawyer: Health Minister
Howard Lutnick, businessman: Trade Minister
Linda McMahon, billionaire and wrestling mogul: Education Minister
Kash Patel, lawyer and former prosecutor: FBI Director
Brooke Rollins, former Trump advisor: Agriculture Minister
Elise Stefanik, congresswoman from New York: UN Ambassador
White House staff (do not require Senate approval):
Susie Wiles, Trump campaign chief: Chief of Staff
Stephen Miller, longtime Trump advisor on immigration issues: Deputy Chief of Staff with a focus on policy issues
Tom Homan, former head of the border agency Ice: "border czar", responsible for the promised deportations of millions of undocumented immigrants.
Mike Waltz, congressman from Florida: National Security Advisor
Elon Musk, super entrepreneur, and Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur and former presidential candidate: heads of Doge, which will work on government efficiency
Source: AP
