WASHINGTON – New allegations of alcohol abuse and misconduct by Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth sparked fresh scrutiny Wednesday into the veteran, former Fox News host and author whom President Donald Trump wants to put at the top of the U.S. military.
New revelations in an affidavit from Hegseth’s ex-sister-in-law accuse Hegseth of making his second wife fear for her life and of being so drunk in uniform during a Minnesota National Guard training weekend that his brother had to carry him out of a strip club in Minneapolis .
The candidate has been accused of numerous cases of public drunkenness and sexual misconduct grilled by Senate Democrats during his confirmation hearing. Hegseth blames a smear campaign for the allegations. “I am not a perfect person, like Jesus and Jenny saved by the grace of God,” he said, referring to his third wife, television producer Jennifer Hegseth, who sat behind him during his hearing. The couple lives in Tennessee.
Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed concern Wednesday about Hegseth’s suitability to lead the Pentagon and the importance of “serious oversight of the U.S. military and its leaders.”
Reed said the statement provided to the FBI in delayed December by Hegseth’s former sister-in-law was not included in the FBI background check submitted to the committee. The Rhode Island Democrat directly called on the former family member to re-read the testimony to the committee.
“As I have been saying for months, the reports of Mr. Hegseth’s history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse and public misconduct require a comprehensive background investigation. “I have been concerned that the background check process was inadequate, and this affidavit confirms that fact,” Reed said in a statement.
“This courageous woman’s affidavit, delivered at enormous personal risk and without gain, documents a disturbing pattern of abuse and misconduct by Mr. Hegseth,” Reed said. “This conduct would disqualify any service member from holding a leadership position in the military, let alone being confirmed as Secretary of Defense.”
The FBI told the state’s newsroom Wednesday that it would not comment on specific background investigations.
Republican committee leadership did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Senators are investigating allegations
The affidavit was obtained and reported from several significant News Points of sale. NBC News, which broke the story, reported that at least 15 senators, including Republicans, had reviewed the document by Tuesday afternoon.
Hegseth’s former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, reportedly told the committee that the candidate’s second wife, Samantha, feared Hegseth’s erratic behavior and devised a plan with family members for a protected word, to be used once, that would be sent to her in the event of a text message According to Reed’s office, he needed immediate facilitate. The statement detailed that at one point, sometime between 2014 and 2016, Samantha hid in a closet for safety reasons.
Danielle also reported that she was verbally abused by a drunken Hegseth at a family event, necessitating intervention, and that there were several drunken incidents and racist and misogynistic comments.
Hegseth’s attorney, Tim Parlatore, did not respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday.
A man who answered the phone number listed on his law firm’s website for Parlatore said, “I rely on the public statements I have already made.”
In a statement to NBC News on Tuesday, Parlatore said: “Sam never alleged that any abuse occurred. She has signed court documents confirming that there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed this during her FBI interview.” That is also changed by late claims from Danielle Dietrich, a far-left anti-Trump Democrat, made by Mr Hegseth’s brother is divorced and never got along with the Hegseth family, nothing.”
Hegseth’s second wife denied the allegations to NBC News, telling the network that “there was no physical abuse in my marriage” and that she would not comment further.
The Senate approved a motion Tuesday night to move forward with Hegseth’s nomination a 53-45 vote. Hegseth could be confirmed as early as Thursday.
States Newsroom has reached out to the White House for comment.
Last updated at 1:07 p.m., January 22, 2025
