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

Michigan's two Democratic senators probed Pete Hegseth's qualifications to lead the Pentagon and whether he'd follow illegal orders from Donald Trump.

Readers say he lacks the qualifications and integrity to be defense secretary. Also: Heroism amid the tragedy in L.A.; alone in an empty church.

Mich., pressed Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick to lead the Defense Department, Tuesday during Hegseth's confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on if he would carry out an illegal order if Trump would issue one.

Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters questioned Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, during his confirmation hearing.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, was grilled by the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday in a heated confirmation hearing.

Pete Hegseth could hardly be more suited to be Donald Trump’s secretary of Defense — even though he’d surely be deemed unqualified by any conventional president.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin asked defense-secretary nominee Pete Hegseth whether presidents can give illegal orders to the military, and whether Hegseth would follow them.

Senate Democrats did nothing to change any minds, hearts, or votes about the defense secretary nominee. Too often, their questioning came across as shrill and hectoring.

Pete Hegseth is widely expected to face the steepest uphill battle of any nominee for President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet.

Pete Hegseth looked great. That square jaw remained at a constant determined jut.