An attorney for defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth sent a letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) on Wednesday, attempting to discredit new allegations detailed in an affidavit from Hegseth’s former sister-in-law.

Spotted in the crowd were Sean Parnell, a former Army Ranger and conservative media personality, and Tim Kennedy, an ex-UFC fighter and former Green Beret. The group, which was buzzing with excitement ahead of the hearing, appeared to cheer for Hegseth and shout "USA!" as the hearing got underway.

Amid Republican claims of “anonymous smears,” a named person — and a Hegseth, at that — accuses the defense secretary nominee of abusive behavior.

Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law said in an affidavit to senators on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon abused his second ex-wife to the point where she once hid in a closet and gave friends a code word to use in a crisis.

The Defense secretary nominee's former sister-in-law, in an affidavit, said she witnessed his drunken aggression and that his second wife worried about her safety.

Trump's defence secretary nominee has denied claims of spousal abuse, made by his former-sister in law in an affidavit.

The former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth told senators in a sworn affidavit that he caused his second wife to fear for her personal safety and abused alcohol over the course of many years.