Two of President-elect Trump's nominees are drawing renewed scrutiny over past allegations that could make for some intense Senate confirmation hearings.
First, there's Pete Hegseth: A newly released police report details an alleged 2017 sexual assault involving the then-Fox News host, whom Trump chose as Defense secretary. The woman involved says Hegseth took her phone and refused to let her leave a hotel room. He denies the allegations and says the encounter was consensual, according to AP. No charges were ever filed against Hegseth. What we know about the incident
What does this mean for his confirmation?: Trump and his team have stuck with Hegseth. And The Hill's Ellen Mitchell reports that Republican senators are withholding their opinions until there is a full background check on Hegseth.
And then there's Matt Gaetz: The House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday to keep its now-defunct investigation on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) under wraps. But a few of its findings leaked. The investigation reportedly found that Gaetz paid two women more than $10,000, in part for sex, according to The Washington Post.
Gaetz may have a very tough time getting confirmed: While we still do not know the details of the probe, the sexual assault investigation is said to be "highly damaging." The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports that some Senate Republicans are privately suggesting that Gaetz should withdraw his nomination to save himself from an ugly confirmation circus. Some are even comparing the expected process to be like the contentious hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in 2018.
Read more: 'GOP warns Gaetz hearings will be "Kavanaugh on steroids"'
For what it's worth: NBC News reports that more than half of Republican senators privately doubt Gaetz will ever be confirmed as attorney general.
💡 The big picture: Trump's rapid pace of Cabinet picks has set the tone for his incoming administration. He wants to hit the ground running in the first 100 days. But brutal confirmation hearings could distract and detract from his agenda.
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