Secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth accused the media of orchestrating a “coordinated smear campaign” against him as he spoke before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, marking the first step in his contentious confirmation process.

Pete Hegseth, the former co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, launched a broadside against media coverage of his Defense Secretary nomination in the early part of his confirmation hearing today, as he has pushed back against reports of drunkenness and a claim of sexual assault.

The Pentagon chief nominee said the accusations of alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and financial mismanagement were driven by the ‘left-wing media.’

Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats are fuming as Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s controversial pick to lead the Pentagon, is set to head back to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for his confirmation hearing before the panel. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has met with numerous Republican senators in the weeks since Trump on Nov. 12…

Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, faces tough questions during his Senate confirmation hearing. NBC News Correspondents Sahil Kapur, Courtney Kube and Gabe Gutierrez report on the key moments from that hearing.