The FBI is conducting an in-depth investigation into Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, as his Senate confirmation hearing approaches. The probe includes interviews with individuals from Hegseth’s past, focusing on allegations of extramarital affairs, alcohol use, and character concerns, sources familiar with the process revealed.
The FBI’s standard but rigorous background check has reached individuals in Hegseth’s home state of Minnesota and beyond. According to sources, Hegseth participated in an interview with the FBI as part of this investigation. The Senate Armed Services Committee is set to evaluate his nomination in a hearing on Tuesday, just days before Trump’s inauguration.
Top Senators on the Armed Services Committee, including Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.), were briefed on the FBI’s findings by a Trump transition team representative. The background investigation materials were also made available for their review. However, the findings have not yet been shared with the public.
While a spokesperson for Reed declined to comment and Wicker’s office did not respond to inquiries, sources suggest the detailed findings could heavily influence the Senate’s perception of Hegseth’s nomination.
Concerns surrounding Hegseth’s personal life have drawn attention, including allegations of infidelity and a 2017 sexual assault claim in Monterey, California. According to a police report, a woman alleged that Hegseth assaulted her during an afterparty at a California hotel. While no charges were filed, Hegseth later settled with the woman to avoid negative publicity, according to his attorney. The settlement explicitly denied any admission of wrongdoing.
Additionally, allegations of financial mismanagement, alcohol abuse, and sexist behavior during Hegseth’s leadership at a conservative veterans’ organization have resurfaced. In response, Hegseth has categorically denied the accusations, calling them part of a coordinated smear campaign. “The press is peddling anonymous story after anonymous story, all meant to smear me and tear me down,” Hegseth wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. “They provide no evidence, no names, and ignore the legions of people who speak on my behalf.”
The allegations have divided Senators, with some expressing caution and others downplaying the claims. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) noted she pressed Hegseth on both his policy positions and the allegations during their December meeting. “I always wait for the FBI background check and the committee hearing before reaching a final decision,” she stated, adding that the investigation’s findings would guide her vote.
Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) dismissed the allegations as unverified. “If people have an allegation to make, come forward and make it,” he said, emphasizing the need for transparency.
Hegseth’s critics point to a 2018 email from his mother, Penelope Hegseth, in which she accused him of mistreating women. Although she later expressed regret and apologized to her son, the email has raised further questions about his character.
Hegseth, however, has emphasized his commitment to the role. He pledged to abstain from alcohol if confirmed, calling the position “the biggest deployment of my life.” During a podcast appearance, he stated, “There won’t be a drop of alcohol on my lips while I’m doing it.”
As the Senate Armed Services Committee prepares for Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, the FBI’s findings are expected to shape the discussion. The committee has also reached out to the Monterey County District Attorney for further details on the 2017 allegations.
Hegseth’s confirmation process is poised to be contentious, with allegations and qualifications weighed in equal measure. With bipartisan interest in the FBI’s findings, the hearing is likely to draw significant attention, potentially influencing the trajectory of the Department of Defense under the incoming administration.
