The secretary of defense has been accused of alcohol abuse and various forms of misconduct — allegations he has denied.

Not to mention some star-spangled socks and a flag belt buckle. At Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing, the accessories mattered.Credit...Photographs by Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times (top ...

The new defense secretary’s goals run counter to the military’s apolitical tradition and efforts to build a force that ...