1. He is steeped in extremist far-right Christianity and has the tattoos to prove it.
In a series of podcasts, Mr. Hegseth appeared to espouse the theocratic and authoritarian doctrine of “sphere sovereignty,” which stems from the beliefs of Christian Reconstructionist extremists and is based in Idaho. This is the worldview supported by a church aligned with far-right pastor Douglas Wilson.
In interviews, Hegseth expressed agreement with the subordination of “civil government” to Old Testament law, the death penalty for violations of the same law, such as homosexuality, and the principle of territorial sovereignty, which envisaged a strictly patriarchal family and church. .
Extremism experts have raised alarms about his nomination, but have also pointed out his tattoos, including a Jerusalem cross on his chest and an assault weapon partially hidden below it.13 It features a tapestry of symbols widely accepted by Christian nationalists, such as the American flag with stars on it. On his shoulders are the words “Deus Vult” (“God’s Will”) carved into his biceps.
2. He is accused of sexual misconduct and aggressive behavior towards his ex-wife
Hegseth denies the charges, but in 2017 he paid a $50,000 settlement to a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her. According to the police report, the man took her cell phone and blocked the door to the hotel room they were in to prevent her from leaving. During his confirmation hearing, he refused to answer questions about the incident, calling them “anonymous slander.”
Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said this week that senators received a sworn statement from Mr. Hegseth’s former sister-in-law alleging that the nominee’s aggressive behavior caused him to fear for his second wife’s safety. He admitted that he had received the letter. Hegseth’s ex-wife, whom he divorced in 2018, denies the charges.
Reed said the affidavit outlines allegations that Hegseth regularly consumed too much alcohol and caused his family to fear for their safety.
Hegseth’s second wife, Samantha Hegseth, became so fearful that she created a “safe word” with friends when she was in danger, according to the affidavit. She once hid in a closet to escape from her husband.
3. He also faces allegations of excessive drinking at work.
The New Yorker reported last year that a whistleblower said Hegseth was seen drunk at multiple events hosted by his nonprofit between 2013 and 2015. The report was reported to The New Yorker. “I saw him dragged away not just a few times, but many times.”
In an affidavit seen by senators, he claims he once drank so much that he passed out at a family gathering and had to be dragged out of a strip club while still in uniform.
The New Yorker also reported that in spring 2023, Hegseth ordered three gin and tonics at a weekday breakfast.
During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth acknowledged that he is “not a perfect person.” He assured senators that he has stopped drinking alcohol and would not do so if he is confirmed as defense secretary. However, he had no intention of resigning if he drank on the job.
4. He said women should not serve in combat roles.
Hegseth recanted her comments after being wiretapped by Trump, but said in a recent interview that she did not believe women should serve in combat roles. “I just want to be candid and say that women shouldn’t be in combat roles,” he said on Sean Ryan’s podcast in November. “It didn’t make us more effective, it didn’t make us more lethal, it didn’t make the fight more complicated.”
Women on the Armed Services Committee, including Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a former National Guard commander, have expressed concern about his comments. Despite this, Ms. Ernst said she supports him.
Reed said the affidavit obtained by senators also said that Hegseth also said, “Women shouldn’t vote or work.”
5. He is accused of financial mismanagement of a nonprofit organization
In addition to allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse, Hegseth has been accused of financial mismanagement at two nonprofit organizations he ran, Veterans for Freedom, according to a report in The New Yorker. He was forced to resign from both “Concerning Veterans for America” and “Concerning Veterans for America.”
The New Yorker obtained a whistleblower email sent to his predecessor at Veterans Concerned for America, which showed how Hegseth “treated the organization’s funds like a personal spending account.” It was detailed.
Veterans for Freedom was in such bad financial shape under the Hegseth administration that donors were looking for ways to wrest control of the organization from Hegseth. “I watched him run the organization so well that he lost the trust of donors,” Margaret Hoover, a former adviser to the group, told The New Yorker. “The organization was ultimately forced to dissolve and merge with another organization where individuals felt they could manage and manage the funds more responsibly on behalf of their donors.”
