When Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, was put under the spotlight for his FBI background check, things got a bit complicated. The report doesn’t include interviews with his ex-wives or the woman who accused him of sexual assault in a California hotel back in 2017. According to several sources familiar with the situation, this is raising a few eyebrows.
Normally, the FBI would talk to current and former spouses during their background checks. But whether they tried to reach out to Hegseth’s ex-wives isn’t entirely clear, and cooperation from the individuals involved is key. On top of that, Senate Democrats on the Armed Services Committee have asked for details from Hegseth’s ex-wives’ legal representatives, but none of that information was shared with the committee.
Since Trump announced Hegseth as his pick to lead the Pentagon, the former military officer and Fox News personality has been at the center of some serious controversies. One of the most talked-about issues is the 2017 sexual assault allegation, which Hegseth claims was a consensual encounter. However, in 2023, he settled with the woman out of court for an undisclosed sum. The local district attorney did not move forward with charges, stating there was insufficient evidence.
Now, Senate Democrats are sounding the alarm. They’re concerned about the delays in getting the FBI report and question its thoroughness. The Trump team, however, has played down these worries.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, warned that “there may be surprises” at the confirmation hearing. He expressed frustration that they haven’t been given full access to important documents, including the FBI report, and hinted that more information might come to light during the hearing.
Blumenthal didn’t hold back on his thoughts about Hegseth’s qualifications. He believes the public record already shows enough about Hegseth’s “lack of character” and unfitness for the role of Secretary of Defense, pointing to financial mismanagement, accusations of sexual misconduct, and alcohol-related issues as major concerns.
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island and Republican Senator Roger Wicker from Mississippi are the only ones who’ve seen the report so far. They’re briefing the rest of the committee tonight.
As of now, the FBI hasn’t responded to requests for comment, leaving many unanswered questions about this ongoing issue.
The confirmation process promises to be a tense one, as more information and opinions on Hegseth’s past come into play. Stay tuned to see how it all unfolds!
