Hegseth has said this tattoo, which has been associated with extremist groups, prevented him from serving as a member of the National Guard at President Joe Biden's inauguration.

But did this happen at the Pete Hegseth hearings in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee this week? If you thought those kinds of questions would dominate the hearings, you must be living under the illusion that we live in a serious country.

Sen. Kaine was the first Virginia senator to publicly question a Trump nominee, ahead of the president-elect's second administration.

Senators, especially Democratic members, grilled Hegseth over his record, his tattoos, and his views on women in the military.

Critics of Trump's defense secretary nominee say the symbol has been adopted by extremist groups, including white supremacists.

Pete Hegseth has several tattoos on his bodies. While some are dedicated to his service in the military, others are related to his faith.

It’s hard to find strong enough adjectives to describe the unmitigated disaster the senate hearing on Pete Hegseth truly was. Even the few Republicans who had expressed previous concerns about his nomination for Secretary of Defense handled him with kid gloves.

Defense secretary nominee will publicly face senators for the first time after weeks of privately pushing back on criticism

Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are beginning their nomination process this week, starting with Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth

The Democrats’ refusal to question Hegseth over his fascist politics underscores that their priority is not the defense of democratic rights against a military-backed Trump dictatorship but the continuation of the war against Russia in Ukraine and the preparation of new wars against Iran in the Middle East and against China.

Confirmation hearings for President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees begin this week. Among the first will be Pete Hegseth, the former Army National Guard officer and FOX News host nominated for secretary of defense.

FOX Business host Larry Kudlow gives his take on Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing for secretary of defense on 'Kudlow.'