Pete Hegseth lawyer rips apart claims from ex-sister-in-law ahead of confirmation
President Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, is facing new allegations from his former sister-in-law, Danielle Dietrich, in a last-minute affidavit. However, Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy C. Parlatore, is pushing back against these claims and urging the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) not to rely on Dietrich’s affidavit.
In a letter to SASC Chairman Roger Wicker, Parlatore emphasized that while anonymous allegations are difficult to credit, Dietrich’s decision to put her name on the record allows for an examination of her credibility and bias. He pointed out that Dietrich’s credibility and bias are easy to discern, suggesting that her motivations are questionable.
Dietrich’s affidavit alleged that Hegseth had an alcohol abuse problem and made his ex-wife, Samantha, fear for her safety at times. She provided anecdotes, including an event where Samantha supposedly hid in a closet from her husband. However, Dietrich noted that she never witnessed any abuse herself, physical or sexual, from Pete against Samantha.
The affidavit also included anecdotes about Hegseth’s alleged heavy drinking, citing specific occasions, including one at a strip club. After the affidavit surfaced, Sen. Jack Reed, the committee’s ranking member, expressed concerns about Hegseth’s history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct, calling for an exhaustive background investigation.
Parlatore refuted Dietrich’s claims, highlighting that the majority of what she referred to were events she admitted to not witnessing. He also pointed out that her claims inadvertently accused Samantha of lying during the FBI’s background check of Hegseth. Parlatore emphasized that the affidavit was submitted as a partisan attempt to derail Hegseth’s confirmation.
While Democrats have used the affidavit to argue against Hegseth’s confirmation, Republicans have criticized them for obstructing the process. Sen. Rick Scott slammed Democrats for being obstructionists and urged them to respect the outcome of the election. He emphasized the importance of allowing President Trump to assemble his administration team for the benefit of the American public.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Pete Hegseth’s nomination for secretary of defense continues to unfold as new allegations surface. The pushback from his lawyer against the last-minute affidavit highlights the partisan nature of the accusations and underscores the challenges in confirming Hegseth for the role. The Senate Armed Services Committee will need to carefully consider the allegations and evidence presented before making a decision on Hegseth’s confirmation.
