A 2017 accusation of sexual assault in Monterey, California, which surfaced soon after Trump tapped him for the Pentagon role, came up repeatedly.

According to a police report, an unnamed woman said Hegseth took her phone and blocked the door when she tried to leave his hotel room before sexually assaulting her.

Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer acknowledged Hegseth had paid an undisclosed amount to stay quiet about the incident.

On Tuesday, Hegseth mainly went on the offensive, decrying a “coordinated smear campaign” orchestrated by the left-wing media. “They want to destroy me.”

But at other times in the hearing, Hegseth responded to questions about his conduct with passionate references to his Christian faith.

“I am not a perfect person, but redemption is real,” he said.