Pete Hegseth’s Former Sister-In-Law Makes Damning Allegation
Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law has added another layer of difficulty to his confirmation chances.
Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon was accused Tuesday of making his second wife “fear for her safety” during their marriage between 2010 and 2017, according to Danielle Hegseth, who was married to Hegseth’s brother.
The allegation was levied in an affidavit obtained by the Daily Beast. The document was also shared with senators, who will soon be tasked with voting to confirm Hegseth or not. He, along with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, are among the Trump Cabinet picks considered to not be a total guarantee for confirmation despite Republicans’ Senate majority.
Hegseth’s ex-wife, Samantha Deering, told NBC News, who first reported the allegation, that “there was no physical abuse in my marriage” to Hegseth and that the network’s information was not accurate.
“There was no physical abuse in my marriage,” she said, according to NBC. “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.”
Tim Parlatore, a lawyer for Pete Hegseth, also rejected the allegations.
“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. Belated claims by Danielle Dietrich, an anti-Trump far left Democrat who is divorced from Mr. Hegseth’s brother and never got along with the Hegseth family, do nothing to change that,” he said in a statement.
“After an acrimonious divorce, Ms. Dietrich has had an axe to grind against the entire Hegseth family,” he said. “Ms. Dietrich admits that she saw nothing but is now falsely accusing Sam of lying to both the Court and to the FBI because of private, undocumented statements that she allegedly made 10 years ago.”
Hegseth’s former sister-in-law submitted the affidavit after Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat, issued a letter requesting her knowledge of the former Fox News star’s “fitness to occupy this important position.”
Reed, of Rhode Island, issued a statement to the Daily Beast about the allegation, which he claims furthered his belief that the thrice-married Hegseth is not fit to lead the military and its three million servicemembers.
“As I have said for months, the reports of Mr. Hegseth’s history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct necessitate an exhaustive background investigation,” he said. “I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this sworn affidavit confirms that fact.
The alleged pattern of abuse and misconduct by Mr. Hegseth is disturbing. This behavior would disqualify any servicemember from holding any leadership position in the military, much less being confirmed as the Secretary of Defense.”
Hegseth’s nomination is scheduled for Thursday.