Republicans appear poised to confirm Trump’s controversial nominee to lead the government’s largest and most complex agency

"This is basic, 101 stuff for someone who wants to be secretary of defense, and he couldn't answer any of them."

During Tuesday's confirmation hearing, Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois told defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth that she doesn't believe he is qualified for the job. Sen. Duckworth is a former Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs in a crash while serving in Iraq and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In a heated Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, Sen. Tammy Duckworth grilled the proposed defense secretary over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, asking him if he could name one member and how many countries were in the bloc.

Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth told Pete Hegseth he was "wholly unprepared" to be confirmed as defense secretary: "You're not qualified, Mr. Hegseth, you're not qualified."

An Illinois legislator called U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s behavior during the Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday “embarrassing.”

While women have earned their place in their units, "You have not earned your place as secretary of defense," Duckworth said.

During a heated Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, Senator Tammy Duckworth grilled the proposed defense secretary over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, asking him if he could name one member and how many countries were in the bloc.

Conservatives erupted Tuesday on social media following an exchange between Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and freshman Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., regarding gender identity. First lady Jill Biden expressed her disappointment with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a new interview with The Washington Post,