Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, is fighting new allegations that his ex-wife feared for her safety because of his erratic behavior.
It is the latest in a series of allegations of misconduct against Hegseth, who is poised to be confirmed with a Senate vote this week.
The new claims threaten to derail the nominee's support, as some Republicans have expressed reservations about the former Fox News host's qualifications.
Although some Republicans are rejecting this move, saying Democrats are trying to use the same playbook they used with Brett Kavanaugh.
Danielle Hegseth's impressive testimony was obtained by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, NBC News first reported.
Danielle wrote in an affidavit that Samantha Hegseth, Pete Hegseth's wife from 2010 – 2017, feared for her safety due to her then-husband's erratic behavior.
She cites private conversations the two had at the time as the basis for her claims, saying Samantha revealed Pete had been exhibiting “erratic and aggressive behavior” for years.
Pete and his ex-wife Samantha Hegseth
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to become Secretary of Defense, poses for a photo with Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. New allegations against Hegseth surfaced on Tuesday
Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer Rauchet
“Samantha also told me that she once hid from Hegseth in her closet because she feared for her personal safety,” another part of the affidavit read, according to PunchBowl News.
The nominee completely denies the allegations.
'Sir. Hegseth categorically denies every word of every accusation,” an aide to Hegseth told DailyMail.com in a statement.
“I would also refer you to Samantha Hegseth's statement stating that these statements are false, and the court document that the Armed Services Committee submitted for the record evidencing this fact,” they continued.
Samantha Hegseth also poured cold water on the new claims, telling NBC News of the allegations: “I do not believe your information is accurate, and I have cc'd my attorney.”
“There was no physical abuse in my marriage. This is the only further statement I will make to you. I have informed you that I do not and will not speak about my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision.”
Hegseth's lawyer, Tim Parlatore, has also denied that the nominee did anything wrong.
'Sam never alleged that there was any abuse. She signed court documents acknowledging there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed this during her FBI interview,” Parlatore said in a statement to NBC.
“Late claims by Danielle Dietrich, a far-left anti-Trump Democrat who is divorced from Mr. Hegseth's brother and never got along with the Hegseth family, cannot change that.”
“After a bitter divorce, Mrs. Dietrich has taken a heavy toll on the entire Hegseth family,” the statement continued. 'Madam. Dietrich admits she saw nothing, but now falsely accuses Sam of lying to both the Court and the FBI over undocumented private statements she allegedly made a decade ago.”
Pete Hegseth (L), candidate for U.S. Secretary of Defense, and wife Jennifer Rauchet attend the Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Secretary of Defense, hugs his wife Jennifer Rauche during the completion of a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Hegseth has been plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse during his confirmation process. He admits he is not a “perfect person” but denies any wrongdoing.
An email from Hegseth's mother even surfaced in which she wrote how his treatment of women upset her, although she later admitted it was wrong of her to send the fiery email.
The top Democrat on the panel, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., sent a letter Jan. 18 to Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, requesting “a statement confirming your personal knowledge of Mr. Hegseth's condition.” to take this important position.'
Danielle Hegseth, who wrote in response to Reed's letter: “I have chosen to come forward publicly, at significant personal sacrifice, because I have serious concerns about what Hegseth's appointment would mean for our military and our country .'
“I have been assured that making this public statement will cause certain senators who are still undecided to vote against Hegseth's confirmation,” she continued, according to a copy of the affidavit reviewed by NBC.
Jennifer Rauchet is Hegseth's third wife
US President Donald Trump is interviewed by Fox and Friends co-host Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, US, April 6, 2017
Hegseth needs 51 senators to vote for his nomination as defense secretary
The new claims against Hegseth come just before he is expected to receive a confirmation vote from all 100 members of the Senate.
He needs 51 positive votes to be officially confirmed in the Pentagon's top spot.
Republicans currently hold a 51-47 majority in the House, meaning if one Republican lawmaker votes against Hegseth, his chances are gone.
Still, there are two vacant seats in the Senate that will soon be filled by Republicans after Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio left the chamber to join the Trump administration.
Former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has been selected to fill Rubio's seat, while former Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted will fill Vance's seat.
