The nomination of Pete Hegseth, a 44-year-old former National Guardsman and recent Fox News TV host, to head the Pentagon sparked controversy from the start. The media cited snippets of books he wrote about fighting leftists and liberals, calling for a fight for the soul of America, and saying that at some point the military and police would have to choose a side. Announced. As is already known, falsely, he predicted that Joe Biden's victory in the election four years ago would lead to a civil war.
The media also wrote about his remarks that women should not be allowed to participate in combat missions because the entire military “must equalize the weak.” Americans also learned about Hegseth's tattoos. On his chest is a large Jerusalem Cross, also known as the Cross of the Crusaders, and on one arm is the inscription “Deus vult,'' meaning “Will of God.'' This was the slogan of the First Crusade.
But it's not these revelations that will harm Hegseth and potentially hinder his path to the highest government job in the United States.
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense? he is charged with a serious crime
In 2017, Pete Hegseth allegedly raped a woman in a hotel room while she was attending a Republican Women's League convention. Hegseth was also one of the speakers there.
Ms Hegseth's accuser said she voluntarily went to the room with him, but when she tried to leave, he blocked her way, took her cell phone and then abused her. I admitted it. The woman called the police. A 22-page report was produced, but prosecutors did not indict Hegseth. He himself admits that there was a reconciliation, but, as he assures, everything was done by mutual consent.
Nevertheless, Hegseth paid the woman for her silence. His lawyer explained that this was not because he was guilty, but because he feared these charges could negatively impact his career. He was working at FOX News at the time.
US elections. Dramatic appeal from Hegseth's mother
There have always been many women in Pete Hegseth's life. He is currently in a relationship with his third wife. He himself admitted to having affairs five times during his first marriage. Another marriage ended due to infidelity. Samantha, Pete's second wife and mother of his three children, asked for a divorce when it turned out that Hegseth would become a father again, but this time her mother would be his co-worker. He also could not count on his own mother's support during Pete's divorce. The New York Times obtained an email that Penelope Hegseth sent to her son during her second divorce.
“On behalf of all the women you have hurt in any way (and I know there have been many), I say to you: Get help, take an honest look at yourself. Please (…) I don't respect men who disrespect women.” , lie to them, cheat on them, sleep with a lot of people, use them for your own ego, and as your mother, it hurts and it's embarrassing, it's sad, but it's It's a sad truth. ” – Penelope Hegseth wrote at the time.
Now, Hegseth's mother claims she regrets sending the email because she was stressed and wrote it in haste. Invited for an interview on Fox News, she said her son has changed and is now a different person, a good husband, a great father and a patriot with a big heart.
Trumpman problem? It's not just an economic issue
Pete Hegseth often emphasizes how passionate he is about supporting veterans. He leads two nonprofit organizations dedicated to the care and support of veterans. And this action of Hegseth causes further problems.
The New Yorker obtained a report prepared by officials from a group called Concerned Veterans for America. These letters cite numerous examples of situations in which Hegseth was allegedly under the influence of alcohol while on business trips or meetings. As one report's author attests, Mr. Hegseth was sometimes in such a condition that he was unable to stand up, and at times someone had to take him to his hotel room. Complaints against Hegseth also related to his inappropriate behavior with sexual overtones towards female colleagues within the organization.
Hegseth also belonged to the organization Veterans for Freedom. He also served as its president for several years. It was during his tenure that the organization began to have serious financial problems. There are allegations that funds are being spent on large-scale events instead of meeting statutory targets. Problems with the organization's budget came to light and Hegseth had to resign.
Hegseth's lawyers have simply responded to all these allegations regarding his activities at the association as “financial nonsense.”
Is Pete Hegseth in the Pentagon? Donald Trump's serious problems
Despite assurances of his innocence and wrongful conviction, the man who nominated him to be the future Secretary of Defense, Donald Trump, is slowly losing patience with new revelations about Pete Hegseth. The president-elect is increasingly receiving information that Hegseth's nomination may be recommended while it is being approved by the Senate. Six or seven Republican senators have made it clear that they do not see Mr. Hegseth as head of the Pentagon. Losing that many votes would mean the Senate would reject Hegseth's nomination.
According to people close to the president-elect, he is already looking for a potential successor to Hegseth. As the Wall Street Journal first reported, Donald Trump's shortlist includes people who had rocky relationships with the future president — first as political allies; Then there was the rival who spared each other nasty and harsh words: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
This Mr. DeSantis is the same Mr. DeSantis whom President Trump accused of treason when Mr. DeSantis challenged the billionaire in the Republican primary, and many people still believe that Mr. DeSantis I can't forgive it. Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis were already scheduled to discuss the nomination. In a conversation with the media, the Florida governor said he would not refuse the offer if one were offered. Sam De Santis is a very popular politician in Florida. Although he has gone through various campaign campaigns, no disturbing revelations have been made about him so far.
There are three possible scenarios: Trump still chooses Hegseth, Trump withdraws the nomination and offers DeSantis as Pentagon chief, and Trump chooses someone completely different.
This situation should be resolved within a few days. Pete Hegseth has been showing up at the Capitol almost every day these days, meeting with Republican senators and trying to win them over. But even Donald Trump's staunchest supporters, like South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, admit that some of the reports about Hegseth are deeply disturbing.
Hegseth himself claims that Donald Trump told him not to give up and to keep fighting.
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