[Pete Hegseth’s Ex-Wife Gives Statement to FBI About His Drinking
Pete Hegseth’s ex-wife, Samantha Hegseth, recently gave a statement to the FBI about the defense nominee’s alcohol use, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The issue has become a source of controversy during his confirmation process.
Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker and the ranking Democratic member Jack Reed were briefed on Samantha Hegseth’s statement, which has not been previously reported, on January 16. Wicker and Reed were initially briefed about the FBI’s background check before the confirmation hearing.
Samantha Hegseth’s statement discussed concerns about Pete Hegseth’s drinking, with one source familiar with the statement saying she told the FBI, “He drinks more often than he doesn’t.” The source noted that Samantha and Pete Hegseth have been divorced since 2017.
Wicker said in a statement that reports about the briefing were “starkly and factually inaccurate” and that he stands by Hegseth’s nomination. “It is disturbing that a sensitive, longstanding process used by committee leadership to vet presidential personnel is being litigated in the press by anonymous sources with ulterior motives,” Wicker said.
Democrats pressed Hegseth during his confirmation hearing about allegations of both sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. Hegseth has repeatedly denied all allegations of misconduct, including having a drinking problem, but has said he would not drink while serving as secretary of defense if he’s confirmed.
Hegseth’s former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, submitted an affidavit to the Senate about Pete Hegseth’s conduct, accusing him of being “abusive” toward his second wife, Samantha Hegseth. Danielle Hegseth alleged that she witnessed Hegseth abusing alcohol at multiple family gatherings and that she witnessed him drinking to excess in public twice during 2013.
Parlatore, Hegseth’s lawyer, said in a statement that Danielle Hegseth “hates Pete and there is no truth to any of this. Most of what she is saying are things she didn’t in fact witness.”
During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth acknowledged he was “not a perfect person” but claimed that the allegations against him were part of a “coordinated smear campaign.”
Source link