Even though Trump has not officially been inaugurated, the Senate can confirm cabinet members before his Oath of Office.

At his confirmation hearing, the defense-secretary nominee looked like a man who understood that the fix was in.

South Korea has rejected a characterization of North Korea as a "nuclear power" by President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in China and Trump's team by email with requests for comment.

U.S. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth has described North Korea as a "nuclear power" that poses a threat to global stability, while highlighting the need for U.S. allies to increase "burden sharing" in pursuit of "healthy" partnerships.

U.S. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth has described North Korea as a "nuclear power" that poses a threat to global stability, while highlighting the need for U.S. allies to increase "burden sharing" in pursuit of what he termed "healthy" partnerships.