WASHINGTON: Pete Hegseth barely squeaked through a grueling Senate confirmation process to become secretary of defense earlier this year, facing lawmakers wary of the Fox News Channel host and skeptical of his capacity, temperament and fitness for the job. Just three months later, he quickly became embroiled in Signalgate as he and other top US officials used the popular Signal messaging application to discuss pending military strikes in Yemen.

Desi Lydic shared a damning throwback clip of the "secretary of defensiveness" from his Fox News days.

WASHINGTON: Pete Hegseth barely squeaked through a grueling Senate confirmation process to become secretary of defense earlier this year, facing lawmakers wary of the Fox News…