Hagel jokes about bruising Senate hearing

WASHINGTON (AP) — With luminaries ranging from Vice President Joe Biden to television game show host Alex Trebek in the audience, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel poked a bit of fun at himself and his bruising Senate confirmation hearing during a formal swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon on Thursday.

Pausing for the applause after his introduction, Hagel told the crowd that, “this kind of warm welcome — the last time I received something quite like this was in the United States Senate in my confirmation hearing. I’m a better person for it.”