Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, is under intense scrutiny after allegations of troubling behavior surfaced in a sworn affidavit submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The affidavit, provided by his former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, and first reported by NBC News, raises concerns about his fitness for the role, citing allegations of abusive behavior and alcohol misuse.
Danielle Hegseth, who was married to Pete Hegseth’s brother from 2011 to 2019, detailed accounts she claims were shared with her by Samantha Hegseth, Pete Hegseth’s second wife. According to the affidavit, Samantha once confided that she hid in a closet between 2014 and 2016 out of fear for her safety. Danielle also alleged that Samantha had a “safe word” system to alert her if she needed immediate help.
“I don’t believe Pete Hegseth is fit to serve as secretary of defense,” Danielle wrote in the affidavit signed in Hennepin County, Minnesota. She emphasized that her statements mirrored what she told FBI agents during Hegseth’s background investigation.
Denials and Defenses
Tim Parlatore, an attorney for Hegseth, vehemently denied the allegations, calling Danielle Hegseth an “anti-Trump far-left Democrat” with personal motives against the Hegseth family. He pointed out that Samantha Hegseth has not accused her ex-husband of abuse, noting she signed court documents and confirmed during her FBI interview that there was no abuse.
“Belated claims by Danielle Dietrich, who has had an axe to grind against the Hegseth family, are baseless,” Parlatore said in a statement.
Samantha Hegseth declined to comment directly, telling NBC News via email, “I do not believe your information to be accurate.”
Allegations of Alcohol Misuse
In addition to claims of abusive behavior, Danielle Hegseth alleged that Pete Hegseth abused alcohol frequently, including incidents where he reportedly passed out at family gatherings and bars. She described one occasion where he had to be dragged out of a bar and another where he was found unconscious in a bar bathroom.
Senate Hearing and Confirmation Challenges
At his January 14 confirmation hearing, Hegseth faced tough questioning from Democrats, including Senator Tim Kaine, who directly asked, “Did you ever engage in any acts of physical violence against any of your wives?” Hegseth denied the allegations, responding, “Senator, absolutely not.”
Despite the allegations, Hegseth’s nomination advanced out of committee on Monday, with support from key Republicans, including Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa.
While the Senate Armed Services Committee has yet to vote on Hegseth’s confirmation, the affidavit has added to the controversy surrounding the nomination, which has already been marked by concerns about his past statements on women in the military and an unrelated allegation of sexual assault.
As the Senate prepares to vote, these allegations may further complicate Hegseth’s path to confirmation as defense secretary.