Live updates: Hegseth doubles down despite increasing scrutiny

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s embattled pick for Defense secretary, spent Wednesday trying to keep his nomination as Defense secretary moving in a forward direction, amid growing scrutiny on Capitol Hill.

Midday, he reiterated that he won't back down from the fight. In an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal, he condemned the press for what he described as a “manufactured media takedown” of him.

Hegseth has been the subject of accusations of sexual assault stemming from a 2017 encounter he says was consensual. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that President-elect Trump is considering replacing Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), the onetime presidential hopeful.

Also on Capitol Hill, lawmakers were jockeying for committee roles and planning for Trump's first 100-day agenda. The House released its calendar with 34 weeks in session next year. And Democrats are making major shifts in leadership.

Follow along with live updates here.

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