Senators receive affidavit containing new allegations against Pete Hegseth, who denies the claims
NBCJAN 20
Ex-Sister-in-Law Alleges Abuse in US Defense Nominee's Past
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 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.