Pete Hegseth Faces Scrutiny Over Misconduct Allegations Amid Nomination as Defense Secretary

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, is under intense scrutiny following allegations of misconduct during his tenure at two veterans' advocacy organizations. Reports from The New Yorker reveal accusations of mismanagement, inappropriate behavior, and troubling incidents that have raised questions about his ability to lead the Department of Defense.

Allegations of Misconduct and Mismanagement

A whistleblower report, obtained by The New Yorker, alleges that while serving as president of Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) from 2013 to 2016, Hegseth frequently appeared intoxicated at work events and allegedly pursued female employees. The report also claims that Hegseth's management team divided female employees into "party girls" and "not party girls." One of the most shocking allegations involves an incident at a Louisiana strip club where Hegseth reportedly had to be restrained from joining the dancers on stage.

The report further details how Hegseth's management team allegedly ignored a female employee's complaint that a staff member had attempted to sexually assault her at the same strip club. Additionally, a former employee accused Hegseth of shouting “Kill all Muslims!” while on a work trip in Ohio, labeling his behavior “despicable” and claiming it embarrassed the organization.

Financial Mismanagement at Veterans Groups

Before his time at Concerned Veterans for America, Hegseth led Vets for Freedom, another veterans' advocacy group backed by Republican mega-donors. His leadership was criticized for financial mismanagement, with reports suggesting that donors were concerned about inappropriate spending on lavish parties. By early 2009, Vets for Freedom was $500,000 in debt, leading donors to shift the group's management to another veterans' organization and significantly reduce Hegseth’s role.

Margaret Hoover, a former adviser to Vets for Freedom and now a CNN political commentator, stated that Hegseth "ran the organization very poorly" and lost the confidence of donors. Hoover questioned Hegseth’s capacity to run the Department of Defense, which has a $857 billion budget and employs 3 million people.

Sexual Assault Allegation and Settlement

In addition to the workplace misconduct allegations, Hegseth was also accused of sexual assault in 2017. A woman told police that Hegseth physically blocked her from leaving a hotel room in Monterey, California, seized her phone, and sexually assaulted her. However, in January 2018, the Monterey County district attorney declined to file charges, citing a lack of evidence to support the claims beyond a reasonable doubt.

Despite this, Hegseth later agreed to a settlement with the woman, including a confidentiality clause. His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, stated that Hegseth decided to settle because he feared losing his job at Fox News amid the #MeToo movement. The settlement amount was undisclosed but described as "significantly reduced" by Parlatore.

Family Criticism Adds to the Controversy

Hegseth’s treatment of women was further called into question after The New York Times reported on a 2018 email sent by his mother, Penelope Hegseth. In the email, she criticized her son's behavior, stating, “There are many women you have abused in some way.” She accused him of being a man who "belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego."

While Penelope later apologized for her remarks, claiming she had written the email “in anger” and "with emotion," the damage was done. Her words were seen as a reflection of Hegseth’s character and further fueled the public debate about his fitness to serve as Secretary of Defense.

Growing Concerns Over His Nomination

Hegseth’s nomination has drawn criticism from lawmakers and defense experts, with many questioning his lack of government experience and his controversial history of mismanagement and misconduct. Given the Department of Defense's vast responsibilities, including overseeing military strategy and managing a massive budget, critics argue that Hegseth's track record at Concerned Veterans for America and Vets for Freedom raises serious doubts about his leadership abilities.

As Hegseth prepares for his Senate confirmation hearings, the spotlight remains on his past behavior. Lawmakers are expected to probe his alleged financial mismanagement, the 2017 sexual assault claim, and his fitness to lead one of the most critical departments in the U.S. government.