Tammy Duckworth asked the nominee for factual details about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including its membership and the U.S.'s relationship with member countries. Hegseth responded that he was unable to name the exact members of ASEAN,

In a heated Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, Sen. Tammy Duckworth grilled the proposed defense secretary over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, asking him if he could name one member and how many countries were in the bloc.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, was questioned about ASEAN during a heated Senate confirmation and struggled with his response.

Hegseth responded at the heated Senate confirmation hearing that he couldn’t tell Duckworth the exact number of ASEAN nations, but that “I know we have allies in South Korea and Japan in AUKUS (a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S.) with Australia.”

Elissa Slotkin, Michigan's new US senator, wanted to know if Pete Hegseth would reject an unlawful order to use the military against civilians.

Good morning! Mastercard will settle a pay discrimination suit for $26 million, the Fortune 500 loses a female CEO, and senators grill Trump defense pick Pete Hegseth. - On defense. Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Committee on Armed Services yesterday in his bid to become Donald Trump's secretary of defense.