Donald Trump’s Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth faced a major roadblock in the way of his confirmation after his former sister-in-law submitted an affidavit to senators who will soon vote to either confirm or reject Pete Hegseth. Danielle Hegseth (Dietrich) who was married to Pete’s brother alleged that Pete Hegseth made his second wife “fear for her safety” during their marriage between 2010 and 2010.
The second wife in question is Samantha Deering who refuted the allegations.
Samantha said there was no physical abuse in her marriage.
“There was no physical abuse in my marriage,” she said, according to NBC. “This is the only further statement I will make to you, I have let you know that I am not speaking and will not speak on my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision.”
Tim Parlatore, a lawyer for Pete Hegseth, also rejected the allegations.
“Sam has never alleged that there was any abuse, she signed court documents acknowledging that there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed the same during her FBI interview. Belated claims by Danielle Dietrich, an anti-Trump far left Democrat who is divorced from Mr Hegseth’s brother and never got along with the Hegseth family, do nothing to change that,” he said in a statement.
Pete Hegseth’s lawyer said Hegseth’s former sister-in-law had an axe to grind against the entire Hegseth family after her divorce with Hegseth’s brother. “Ms Dietrich admits that she saw nothing but is now falsely accusing Sam of lying to both the Court and to the FBI because of private, undocumented statements that she allegedly made 10 years ago,” Pete Hegseth’s lawyer said.
Pete Hegseth has been married thrice: first with Meredith Schwarz (2004-2009), then with Samantha (2020 to 2017) and now with Jennifer Rauchet.
Pete Hegseth’s senate confirmation is an uphill battle for him as he was grilled during the hearing over his past conduct that included allegations of drunken brawl, paying for sex etc. Hegseth said the sexual act was a consensual one and he was later blackmailed into paying. On allegations of heavy drinking, Hegseth said he would quit drinking as he assumes the role of defense secretary in the new administration.
