President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is confronting serious allegations from his former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth. In a sworn affidavit submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Danielle claims that Hegseth exhibited abusive behavior toward his second ex-wife, Samantha Hegseth, causing her to fear for her safety. She recounts instances where Samantha reportedly hid in a closet and established a code word to signal emergencies due to concerns over Hegseth’s behavior.
Danielle’s affidavit also details episodes of excessive alcohol consumption by Hegseth, including passing out at family gatherings and making inappropriate remarks. She alleges that during one incident, Hegseth, while in military uniform, needed assistance leaving a strip club due to intoxication.
Despite these allegations, Samantha Hegseth has publicly denied any claims of abuse during her marriage to Pete Hegseth. In response to the affidavit, Hegseth’s legal team has dismissed the claims as part of a smear campaign, noting that Danielle is a lifelong Democrat who previously engaged in political disputes with the family.
The Senate Armed Services Committee has advanced Hegseth’s nomination along party lines, moving it to a full Senate vote. However, the emergence of these allegations has prompted calls from Democratic senators, including Senator Jack Reed, for a thorough investigation into Hegseth’s conduct. Reed expressed concerns that such behavior, if substantiated, would disqualify Hegseth from leading the Department of Defense.
This development adds to a series of controversies surrounding Hegseth’s nomination, including previous accusations of sexual assault and financial mismanagement during his tenure at veterans’ organizations. The full Senate is expected to deliberate on his confirmation in the coming days, with the outcome remaining uncertain amid these serious allegations.
