1. He’s steeped in far-right Christianity, and has the tattoos to prove it
In a series of podcasts, Hegseth confirmed this Theocratic and authoritarian The doctrine of “sphere of sovereignty”, a worldview derived from extremist beliefs Christian Reconstruction And they have been supported by churches affiliated with right-wing Idaho pastor Douglas Wilson.
In interviews, Hegseth has expressed agreement with the principle of territorial sovereignty, which envisions the Old Testament law as subservient to the “civil government,” with the death penalty for violations of that law, such as homosexuality. , and strictly of patron families and churches.
Experts on extremism have raised alarm over his nomination, also pointing to his tattoos, which feature a tapestry of symbols widely embraced by Christian nationalists, including Also on his chest is the Jerusalem Cross, an American flag partially obscured by the assault weapon below it. shoulders and words”Davis Welt“(“God willing”) on his biceps.
2. He is accused of sexual misconduct and aggressive behavior with his ex-wife
Although he has denied the allegation, Heggsett paid up 000 50,000 settlement With a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. According to a police report, he took his cell phone and blocked the door of a hotel room they were staying in to prevent them from leaving. During his confirmation hearing, he refused to answer questions about the incident, calling them “anonymous smears.”
Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, confirmed this week that senators had received an affidavit from Higgsett’s ex-sister-in-law alleging that the nominee’s aggressive behavior toward her has forced the second wife to fear for her safety. Hegseth and his ex-wife, who divorced in 2018, have denied the allegations.
According to Reed, the affidavit claims that Heggsett regularly drank too much alcohol and caused his family members to fear for their safety.
The affidavit indicates that Hegseth’s second wife, Samantha Hegseth, became so frightened that she established a “safe word” with friends to indicate when he was in danger and once She hid in a closet to escape her then-husband.
3. He has also faced allegations of excessive drinking in the workplace
The New Yorker reported last year that, according to a whistleblower’s report, Hegseth was seen drunk at several events hosted by the nonprofit between 2013 and 2015. “I’ve seen him drunk many times,” said one person who took part. The report told the New Yorker. “I’ve seen it not dragged a few times more than one times. “
The affidavit was seen by the senators This is also an accusation That he drank regularly to the point that he passed out at family gatherings, and on one occasion, needed to be dragged out of a strip club while still in uniform.
New York Also reported That Hegsett ordered three gin and tonics at a Saturday breakfast meeting as recently as the spring of 2023.
During his confirmation hearing, Heggsett admitted that he is “not a perfect person”. He promised senators that he had stopped drinking and would not if he was confirmed as defense secretary. But he Will not commit Resign if he drank on the job.
4. He has said that women should not serve in combat roles
Although she has walked back those comments since being taped by Trump, Hagseth has said in recent interviews that she does not believe women should serve in combat roles. “I’m saying straight up that we shouldn’t have women in combat roles,” she said on Sean Ryan’s podcast in November. “It hasn’t made us more effective, it hasn’t made us more lethal, it’s made the fight more complex.”
Women on the Army Services Committee, including Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, a former commander of the Army National Guard, have raised concerns about her comments. Ernst, however, has said She will help him.
According to Reed, the affidavit obtained by the senators also alleges that Heggsett said “women shouldn’t vote or work”.
5. He has been accused of financial mismanagement of the nonprofit
According to Reporting In addition to allegations of financial mismanagement, Hegseth was sued by the New Yorker, two nonprofit groups he ran, Freedom Veterans and Concerned Veterans, in addition to allegations of sexual misconduct and alcoholism. Forced to quit by groups.
The New Yorker obtained a whistleblower email sent to his predecessor at Concerned Veterans for America that said Heggsett “treated the organization’s funds as if they were a personal expense account.”
At Veterans for Freedom, the financial situation under Heggsett was so bad that donors tried to figure out how to take control of the organization away from him. “I saw him run an organization very badly, losing the trust of donors,” Margaret Hoover, a former adviser to the group, told the New Yorker. “The organization was eventually folded and forced to merge with another organization that individuals felt could run and manage the funds more responsibly on behalf of donors. is.”
