Trump’s Cabinet Picks Face Mounting Scrutiny Amid Controversial Backgrounds
President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominations have triggered intense scrutiny as multiple candidates face serious allegations and controversies, presenting potential challenges for their upcoming Senate confirmation hearings. Despite Republican control of the Senate, these nominations may face significant bipartisan examination given the nature of the concerns raised. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran, confronts dual controversies: a 2017 sexual assault investigation in California and questions about his military service history. While no charges resulted from the assault investigation, which Hegseth "vigorously denies" according to Trump spokesman Steven Cheung, additional concerns have emerged regarding his military service. CBS News reports that fellow service members previously flagged Hegseth as a potential "insider threat" due to a Latin phrase tattoo that raised concerns about extremist connections—allegations Hegseth firmly denies. Vice President-elect JD Vance has defended Hegseth, characterizing the […]