Senators receive affidavit containing new allegations against Pete Hegseth, who denies the claims
NBCJan 24
Ex-Sister-in-Law Alleges Abuse in US Defense Nominee's Past
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Above: Pete Hegseth, Pres. Donald Trump's choice to be Secretary of Defense, appears during a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Image copyright: Jabin Botsford/Contributor/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Facts
Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, has reportedly submitted a sworn affidavit to the Senate Armed Services Committee alleging that the defense secretary nominee exhibited abusive behavior toward his second wife Samantha, including incidents where Samantha reportedly hid in a closet fearing for her safety.
These are allegations Samantha Hegseth has explicitly denied in divorce documents. Both she and Pete Hegseth signed Minnesota court documents in 2021 acknowledging no domestic abuse occurred during their marriage.
Hegseth's attorney dismissed the allegations as "belated claims" from an "anti-Trump far left Democrat" with "an axe to grind against the entire Hegseth family," emphasizing that Samantha reaffirmed the absence of abuse during her FBI interview.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
The timing and nature of these allegations raise serious concerns about Hegseth's fitness to serve as Defense Secretary, particularly given the multiple reports of other concerning behavior. These issues would disqualify any service member from leadership positions, and Hegseth is unsuitable for the Pentagon's top role.
Republican narrative
These allegations represent a desperate last-minute attempt by Democrats to derail a qualified nominee's confirmation. The claims are contradicted by court documents and the explicit denials from Hegseth's ex-wife, demonstrating this is nothing more than a politically motivated attack.
