Pete Hegseth faces Senate grilling on defense role [Video]

Senators opened a potentially explosive confirmation hearing Tuesday for President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, who calls himself a “change agent” as senators determine whether the former combat veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the U.S. military.Watch a livestream of the confirmation hearing in the video player above.Hegseth’s former experience in the Army National Guard is widely viewed as an asset for the job, but he also brings a jarring record of past statements and actions, including allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking and derisive views about women in military combat roles, minorities and “woke” generals. He has vowed to not drink alcohol if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon.“It’s time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent,” Hegseth will tell senators in prepared remarks from his opening statement obtained by The Associated Press.Trump backed his …