Pete Hegseth on Tuesday battled through a high-stakes Senate hearing in which Democrats sought to paint the Pentagon nominee as inexperienced, unprofessional and toxic due to allegations of sexual abuse and heavy drinking.

But Republicans vigorously defended the nominee, and the Senate Armed Services chair touted the hearing as a triumph, with Hegseth surviving the showdown without doing any major damage his candidacy.

“This was a tour de force, a takedown, a triump,” Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said after the hearing. “I think it was a magnificent display. I don't think it could have gone any better.”

Hegseth, who raised his fist to applause at the end of the hearing, can afford to lose three Republican votes should every Democrat and Independent vote against him.

The former Fox News personality and an Army National Guard veteran pitched himself as a “change agent” who was free from conflicts of interest and laser focused on restoring lethality to the military.

But Democrats made the case that Hegseth was unqualified for the job to lead some 3 million troops and civilian employees.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), ranking member on the committee, opened the hearing by arguing Hegseth lacked the "character, composure and competence to hold the position of secretary of Defense.”

“Secretary of Defense demands a leader of unparalleled experience, wisdom and, above all else, character,” Reed said. “I do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job.”

Reed’s opening remarks were in stark contrast with Wicker, who said Hegseth was coming into the job with a unique perspective, as Trump did roughly a decade ago.

“The nominee is unconventional — just like that New York developer who rode down the escalator in 2015 to announce his........

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