President Donald Trump is planning to travel to California to survey the wildfire damage in his first presidential visit since his inauguration.

He has denied the accusations, dismissing them as part of a smear campaign in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. On Tuesday, an ex-sister-in-law of Mr. Hegseth submitted a sworn statement to senators accusing him of being “abusive” toward his second wife.

WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation’s defense secretary Friday in a dramatic late-night vote, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women.

Hegseth's nomination once appeared on shaky ground amid allegations that included sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement.

The 44-year-old former Fox News host is set to begin the job as the least experienced defense secretary in modern history.

Pete Hegseth was confirmed after Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote in support of his nomination. See how your senators voted.

Surprise third Republican Mitch McConnell opposed Hegseth’s confirmation after a series of revelations about his personal life and alleged misconduct

WASHINGTON – The Senate narrowly confirmed Pete Hegseth on Friday as secretary of Defense, a win for President Donald Trump's new administration after its 44-year-old nominee fended off allegations of sexual assault, public drinking and intoxication, and abusive treatment of women.

Now that Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as defense secretary, he may quickly need to take on several different initiatives that President Trump has eyed for the military.

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nominee for US defence secretary, was confirmed by the Senate late on Friday night, after facing misconduct allegations that nearly derailed his confirmation.

The Senate on Friday night voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary after Vice President JD Vance stepped in to cast the tiebreaking vote. Hegseth’s nomination had been hampered by allegations of misconduct.