Republicans pushed ahead with Pete Hegseth’s nomination as secretary of protection on Wednesday even after a dangerous report emerged claiming that his second spouse lived in concern of his “abuse.”
Senate Majority Chief John Thune mentioned he plans to get the complete Senate to carry a ultimate affirmation vote on Hegseth earlier than the top of the week.
There are scant indicators of any Republican defections that may endanger Hegseth’s nomination, even after his first spouse wrote in a sworn assertion to the Senate that his second spouse feared for her security because of his abusive habits.
Danielle Hegseth mentioned that Samantha Hegseth, who succeeded her as his partner, instructed her that she feared Pete Hegseth and so they even created a so-called secure phrase to report abuse.
“I believe what Samantha told me because what she told me is consistent with what I personally observed of Hegseth’s erratic and aggressive behavior over many years,” Danielle Hegseth mentioned within the affadavit.
“I have chosen to come forward publicly, at significant personal sacrifice, because I am deeply concerned by what Hegseth’s confirmation would mean for our military and our country,” she added.
She mentioned she shared the knowledge with the FBI in December however the data was not shared with Congress as senators contemplate Hegseth’s nomination to steer the Pentagon.
Pete Hegseth vehemently denied the accusation and Samantha Hegseth herself denies being the sufferer of abuse by the hands of her ex.
Pete Hegseth legal professional Tim Parlatore mentioned the assertion was little greater than bitter grapes from an ex-wife with “an axe to grind against the entire Hegseth family.”
The Hegseth nomination as soon as appeared like an powerful struggle due to his checkered private historical past, together with studies of heavy ingesting and accusations of intercourse assault, in addition to his hostility to girls serving in fight.
However he allayed GOP fears with a assured show at his affirmation listening to.
Hegseth wants 50 votes for affirmation, which means he may lose the votes of as many as three GOP senators and nonetheless win approval. To this point, no Republicans have prompt they are going to oppose him and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) has mentioned he might help the nomination.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in contrast the Hegseth claims to the allegations in opposition to Brett Kavanaugh, which wound up galvanizing GOP help for his profitable affirmation to the Supreme Courtroom.
“I don’t really have anything to offer,” Cornyn mentioned. “I was involved in the Kavanaugh hearings, where people came out of the closet making all sorts of false allegations.”
