Fresh allegations have emerged against Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick for the Pentagon. As the Senate prepares for a confirmation vote, accusations of abuse, sexism, and offensive behavior are shaking up the political scene.
Explosive claims from Danielle Hegseth
Danielle Hegseth, the former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth, made stunning claims in a signed affidavit to senators. On January 21, she stated that Hegseth abused his second ex-wife, Samantha Hegseth. According to Danielle, Samantha once hid in a closet out of fear for her safety. She even devised a code word to alert friends during crises.
“I believe Samantha feared for her life,” Danielle said in the affidavit, submitted after a January 18 request from Senator Jack Reed, the leading Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Pete Hegseth denies allegations
Pete Hegseth has denied all allegations. However, Reuters reviewed the affidavit, which also includes claims of alcohol abuse and deeply offensive remarks. One such incident occurred in 2013 when Pete allegedly shouted, “No means yes,” at a bar. Danielle claimed this reflected a belief that men don’t need consent from women.
Danielle also told NBC News that Pete voiced extreme views, saying women shouldn’t vote or work. “As I informed the FBI, I heard him say these things firsthand,” she emphasized.
Legal and personal defense
Pete Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, pushed back strongly. He pointed to statements from Samantha Hegseth denying abuse. NBC News quoted Parlatore saying, “Samantha never alleged abuse. She signed court documents confirming there was none and reaffirmed this during her FBI interview.”
Samantha Hegseth’s own words appear to back this up. Speaking to NBC News, she stated, “There was no physical abuse in my marriage.” Attempts to contact her for further comments have been unsuccessful.
Contradictions in court records
Court records also complicate the narrative. A 2021 Minnesota filing, signed by both Pete and Samantha, stated no court had found evidence of physical abuse or threats in their case.
Despite these contradictions, Danielle Hegseth’s affidavit paints a troubling picture. She detailed Samantha’s fear and her elaborate plan for escaping danger. “Samantha once told me she hid in a closet because she feared for her safety,” Danielle wrote. She described a system where Samantha would text a specific code word if she needed immediate help.
In 2015 or 2016, Danielle claimed Samantha used the code. “She texted me the word, and I contacted another friend to fly to Minnesota to assist her,” Danielle stated. The friend’s identity remains undisclosed, and Reuters could not independently verify the claim.
Political stakes
The timing of these allegations is critical. The Senate, narrowly controlled by Republicans, is gearing up for a vote on Pete Hegseth’s confirmation. With a slim majority, losing the support of just three senators could derail his nomination. Democrats and independents are expected to oppose him unanimously.
Silence from the White House
The White House has stayed silent on the matter, declining to comment on the allegations. Meanwhile, the accusations have added a new layer of tension to an already contentious confirmation process.
For Pete Hegseth, these claims represent a significant hurdle. As senators weigh their votes, the allegations of abuse, sexism, and controversial behavior could tip the scales against him.
