Live Updates: Senate confirmation hearings for Trump picks for CIA, State, Attorney General-OxBig News Network

The process of appointing Trump’s Cabinet kicked off Tuesday with a contentious Senate confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary hopeful Pete Hegseth, one of the president-elect’s most controversial picks.

Despite Democrats’ best efforts to grill Hegseth on his relative lack of experience and a series of allegations about his past, the former Fox News host emerged from the hearing likely to be confirmed.

There were some tense moments, however. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., zeroed in on Hegseth’s admitted past infidelities and a 2017 sexual assault accusation against him.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and others pressed Hegseth about his past comments opposing women in combat.

But Hegseth got a warm embrace from Republicans. A key GOP holdout, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, said later Tuesday that she would vote to confirm him.

— Kevin Breuninger

A scheduled confirmation hearing today for South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump’s pick for to lead the Department of Homeland Security, was abruptly postponed late Tuesday afternoon.

A former member of the House, Noem’s confirmation process was expected to be the most controversial of today’s slate.

The reason for the postponement was given, but The Hill newspaper reported that it was “due to a delay on the FBI background check” for Noem.

— Christina Wilkie