Robert Salesses will serve as the acting defense secretart until President Donald Trump's nominee, Pete Hegseth, gets confirmed by the Senate.

Amid Republican claims of “anonymous smears,” a named person — and a Hegseth, at that — accuses the defense secretary nominee of abusive behavior.

As Hegseth’s hearing proceeded before the Senate Armed Services Committee, there was an air of unreality to the nominee’s performance. Moreover, the committee’s Republican majority seemed to have little appreciation for the gravity of decisions required of the defense secretary.

Salesses as the acting secretary of Defense while President Trump’s nominee Pete Hegseth awaits Senate confirmation. Salesses was sworn in just after noon, according to a Defense official. NBC News first reported on his swearing-in.

President Donald Trump has named an acting defense secretary because his choice to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, goes before the Senate Armed Services Committee next week.

On Tuesday, the assertion was whittled down to Hegseth being the first “to have served as a junior officer on the front lines, not in the headquarters ... “Washington doesn’t build men like Pete. Combat builds men like Pete,” Senate Armed Services ...

WASHINGTON (Gray DC ... Democrats on the Senate Armed Services committee addressing multiple allegations about his character. Pete Hegseth calling his treatment smear campaign.

Spotted in the crowd were Sean Parnell, a former Army Ranger and conservative media personality, and Tim Kennedy, an ex-UFC fighter and former Green Beret. The group, which was buzzing with excitement ahead of the hearing, appeared to cheer for Hegseth and shout "USA!" as the hearing got underway.

Read about President Trump's appointment of Robert Salesses, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, as acting secretary of defense.

Several new Defence Department officials have disputed contention that supporting Ukraine's defence could deter Beijing's plans for Taiwan While the Pentagon awaits Senate confirmation of its new chief amid fresh allegations of the nominee's history of abuse,