This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/21/pete-hegseth-affidavit-senators-confirmation

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Pete Hegseth’s ex-sister-in-law alleges he was aggressive to second wife Pete Hegseth’s ex-sister-in-law alleges he was aggressive to second wife
(about 7 hours later)
Affidavit to senators claims defense secretary pick’s alleged behavior prompted his second wife to fear for her safetyAffidavit to senators claims defense secretary pick’s alleged behavior prompted his second wife to fear for her safety
Senators have reportedly received an affidavit from the former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial pick for secretary of defense, alleging that the nominee’s aggressive behavior prompted his second wife to fear for her safety. Senators have received an affidavit from the former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial pick for secretary of defense, alleging that the nominee’s aggressive behavior prompted his second wife to fear for her safety. Hegseth and his ex-wife, who divorced in 2018, have denied the allegations.
NBC News reports that the former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, submitted the affidavit after the top Democrat on the Senate armed forces committee, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, sent her a letter requesting a statement on her “personal knowledge about Mr Hegseth’s fitness to occupy this important position”. As NBC News first reported, the former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, submitted the affidavit after the top Democrat on the Senate armed forces committee, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, sent her a letter requesting a statement on her “personal knowledge about Mr Hegseth’s fitness to occupy this important position”.
A photo of the affidavit, shared by Punchbowl News, shows Danielle Hegseth’s account that Hegseth’s second wife, Samantha Hegseth, instituted a system of sending two friends a safe word to signal when she feared for her safety because of her husband’s erratic behavior. In a statement issued Wednesday, Reed confirmed his outreach to Danielle and noted that the affidavit has now been made available to all senators for their review. According to Reed, the affidavit outlines claims that Hegseth regularly drank alcohol to the point of excess and caused his family members to fear for their safety.
According to Danielle Hegseth, she shared details of Hegseth’s allegedly aggressive behavior with the FBI when the bureau conducted a background check on the nominee last month. The affidavit indicates that Hegseth’s second wife, Samantha Hegseth, became so fearful that she instituted a “safe word” with friends to indicate when she was in danger and once hid in a closet to escape her then husband. Reed added that the affidavit alleges Hegseth said “women should not vote or work, and that Christians needed to have more children so they could overtake the Muslim population”.
Samantha Hegseth, who divorced Hegseth in 2017, disputed the characterization of her marriage, telling NBC News: “There was no physical abuse in my marriage. This is the only further statement I will make to you, I have let you know that I am not speaking and will not speak on my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision.” According to Danielle, she shared details of Hegseth’s allegedly aggressive behavior with the FBI when the bureau conducted a background check on the nominee last month, but Reed said the testimony did not appear in the final background check briefing provided by Trump’s transition team earlier this month.
A lawyer for Hegseth similarly denied the accusation against him, saying: “Sam has never alleged that there was any abuse, she signed court documents acknowledging that there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed the same during her FBI interview.” “I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this affidavit confirms that fact,” Reed said in his statement. “The sworn affidavit from this courageous woman, provided at enormous personal risk and with nothing to gain, documents a disturbing pattern of abuse and misconduct by Mr. Hegseth. This behavior would disqualify any servicemember from holding any leadership position in the military, much less being confirmed as the Secretary of Defense.”
Samantha Hegseth disputed the claims outlined in the affidavit, telling NBC News: “There was no physical abuse in my marriage. This is the only further statement I will make to you, I have let you know that I am not speaking and will not speak on my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision.”
A lawyer for Hegseth similarly denied the accusations against him, saying: “Sam has never alleged that there was any abuse, she signed court documents acknowledging that there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed the same during her FBI interview.”
As of now, Hegseth is expected to be narrowly confirmed by the Senate despite concerns over allegations of sexual assault, financial mismanagement and excessive alcohol use. His nomination was approved by the Senate armed services committee on Monday by a party-line vote.As of now, Hegseth is expected to be narrowly confirmed by the Senate despite concerns over allegations of sexual assault, financial mismanagement and excessive alcohol use. His nomination was approved by the Senate armed services committee on Monday by a party-line vote.
Hegseth’s nomination has been marked by allegations of sexual assault and public intoxication. He paid a settlement to a woman who accused him of rape in 2017, but he denies the allegations and refused to answer multiple questions during his confirmation hearing about sexual assault and his drinking, calling them “anonymous smears”. Although he has denied the allegation of sexual assault, Hegseth paid a settlement to a woman who accused him of rape in 2017. He refused to answer multiple questions during his confirmation hearing about the sexual assault and his drinking, calling them “anonymous smears”.