Senators on Tuesday received an affidavit from Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, alleging that he acted in a way that caused his second wife to fear for her safety. Democratic senators immediately expressed outrage over the allegations, despite denials by both Hegseth and his ex-wife.
Hegseth, who was nominated by President Donald Trump to head the Pentagon, addressed several allegations related to sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse during his Senate confirmation hearing on January 14. Notably, many of the allegations were anonymous.
Hegseth denied the allegations, saying, “I'm not a perfect person, but salvation is real,'' but acknowledged that he had changed. “And God has trained me in a way that I know I’m ready for.”
Democrats continued to criticize Hegseth's past, even though he wholeheartedly rejected the allegations.
Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island said, “As I have said for months, reports of Mr. Hegseth's alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct.'' requires thorough background checks.” said in a statement Tuesday. “I am concerned that the background check process is inadequate, and this affidavit confirms that fact.”
The affidavit in question alleges that Hegseth behaved in an erratic and threatening manner towards his second wife, Samantha Hegseth, causing her to fear for her safety.
“After their divorce, Pete and Samantha Hegseth signed court documents in 2021 asserting that neither parent was a victim of domestic violence.”
“Sam has never claimed that any abuse occurred,” Hegseth's attorney, Tim Parlatore, said in a statement. I reconfirmed it.” “A belated assertion by Daniel Dietrich, an anti-Trump far-left Democrat who divorced Mr. Hegseth's brother and has been unable to come to terms with the Hegseth family, does not change the situation.”
“After the acrimonious divorce, Ms. Dietrich became harsh towards the entire Hegseth family,” Parlatore added. “Ms. Dietrich admits she didn't see anything, but Sam is accused of lying to both the court and the FBI because of undocumented personal statements she allegedly made 10 years ago.” is being falsely accused.”
Samantha also responded to the affidavit, telling NBC via email that she did not believe it was accurate.
“First and foremost, I have not and will never comment on my marriage to Pete Hegseth,” Samantha said. “I have no representative to speak on my behalf, and I have never asked anyone, including reporters, committee members, or transition team members, to share or discuss the details of my marriage on my behalf.”
“I don't believe your information is accurate. I have CC'd your attorney,” she added.
“There was no physical abuse in my marriage,” Samantha said, adding: “That's all I have to say to you anymore: I don't and won't talk about my marriage to Pete. “I told them that,” he said. Please respect this decision. ”
After their divorce, Pete and Samantha Hegseth signed court documents in 2021 claiming that neither parent was a victim of domestic violence. The two were married from 2010 to 2018 and have three children.
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