The question of “Is Pete Hegseth” fit for high office has resurfaced with intensity following recent revelations about a secret financial settlement he made to a woman who accused him of rape in 2017. This disclosure has cast a harsh light on the already controversial figure, particularly in light of past considerations for him to serve as Secretary of Defense. While President-elect Donald Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, defended Hegseth, emphasizing that he has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crime, a deeper look into Hegseth’s past reveals a pattern of serious allegations that raise significant concerns about his suitability for positions of power and responsibility.
Prior to becoming a full-time Fox News TV host in 2017, Pete Hegseth’s leadership roles at two nonprofit advocacy groups, Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), were marred by accusations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct. These allegations, documented and corroborated by former colleagues, led to his forced departure from both organizations, painting a picture of a leader whose behavior was far from exemplary.
A previously undisclosed whistle-blower report concerning Pete Hegseth’s tenure as president of Concerned Veterans for America from 2013 to 2016 offers a disturbing account of his conduct. The seven-page report, compiled by multiple former CVA employees and sent to senior management in February 2015, details instances of Hegseth being repeatedly intoxicated while on duty, sometimes to the point of incapacitation. One particularly alarming incident described in the report recounts how Hegseth had to be physically restrained from joining dancers on stage at a Louisiana strip club, a venue he had brought his team to.
Alt text: Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host, discussing political issues on television.
The report further alleges a toxic workplace culture under Hegseth’s leadership. It claims that Hegseth, who was married at the time, and other members of his management team engaged in sexual pursuit of female staffers, categorizing them as either “party girls” or “not party girls.” Moreover, the report asserts that the organization under Hegseth ignored serious complaints of misconduct, including an allegation from a female employee that a staff member under Hegseth had attempted to sexually assault her at the same Louisiana strip club.
Adding to these serious accusations, a separate letter of complaint from another former employee in late 2015 described an incident in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, on May 29, 2015. According to the letter, Hegseth was at a bar in the early morning hours during an official tour, drunkenly chanting “Kill All Muslims! Kill All Muslims!” This incident, if accurate, reveals not only a lack of professional conduct but also deeply troubling prejudiced sentiments.
In response to inquiries about these allegations, Tim Parlatore, a lawyer representing Hegseth, issued a statement dismissing them as “outlandish claims laundered through The New Yorker by a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate of Mr. Hegseth’s.” This statement, attributed to an unnamed “advisor,” avoided directly addressing the substance of the accusations and instead attacked the credibility of the source and the media outlet.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed serious concern about the reports of Hegseth’s drinking. In an interview, Blumenthal, who is involved in reviewing nominations, stated that while there might be sympathy for individuals struggling with alcohol problems, such individuals should not be placed in high national security positions. “It’s dangerous,” Blumenthal emphasized, highlighting the immense responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense, including decisions on the use of nuclear weapons, troop deployment, and drone strikes. He argued that entrusting these life-and-death decisions to someone potentially incapacitated due to alcohol is an unacceptable risk.
Alt text: Official portrait of Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut.
Blumenthal drew a parallel to the case of Senator John Tower, a Republican nominee for Secretary of Defense in 1989, whose nomination was rejected by the Senate due to concerns about drinking and womanizing. This historical precedent underscores that concerns about personal conduct and judgment are not partisan issues when it comes to such critical roles.
Pete Hegseth’s departure from Concerned Veterans for America in January 2016 also occurred under a cloud of suspicion. While publicly described as a “mutual” decision, reports in Military Times at the time mentioned “rumors of a rift” and a “quiet resignation.” However, sources close to the organization, including a contributor to the whistle-blower report, suggest that Hegseth was indeed forced to step down due to concerns over mismanagement and alcohol abuse on the job.
An email with the subject line “Congratulations on Removing Pete Hegseth,” sent to Hegseth’s successor, Jae Pak, on January 15, 2016, further illustrates the internal discontent. The email, sent pseudonymously by a whistle-blower and obtained by The New Yorker, included a copy of the report and expressed the staff’s “disgust for Pete,” stating that most veterans felt he did not represent their values. It accused Hegseth of treating organizational funds as a “personal expense account” for partying and using CVA events for “hooking up” with women. Jae Pak declined to comment on these matters, and Americans for Prosperity, the umbrella group overseeing CVA, confirmed Hegseth’s resignation but offered no further details on personnel issues.
Breitbart News, known for its pro-Trump stance, attempted to preemptively discredit the reporting by labeling it a “screed” from a “jealous former coworker.” However, the disclosed report is distinct from other critical documents circulating at the time, indicating a widespread pattern of concern within CVA about Hegseth’s leadership and behavior.
The whistle-blower report details numerous instances involving top managers and alcohol, including incidents at a casino and a Christmas party. It states that Hegseth was “seen drunk at multiple CVA events” between 2013 and 2015, a period when CVA was actively working to mobilize veterans for conservative causes. This period involved extensive travel for Hegseth and his team across the country as part of the “Defend Freedom Tour.”
Two individuals who identified themselves as contributors to the whistle-blower report spoke about their experiences with Hegseth’s drinking. One stated, “I’ve seen him drunk so many times. I’ve seen him dragged away not a few times but multiple times. To have him at the Pentagon would be scary,” and added that the reaction among CVA staff to Hegseth’s potential SecDef consideration was a resounding “Hell No!” The report cites specific examples, such as an event in Virginia Beach during Memorial Day weekend in 2014, where Hegseth was allegedly “totally sloshed” and had to be carried to his room. Another incident in Cleveland involved Hegseth being “completely drunk in a public place” at a bar near their hotel, reportedly disappointing “several high profile people” attending a CVA event.
Alt text: Pete Hegseth and Sarah Palin during a “Defend Freedom Tour” event in Iowa Falls.
In response to these recurring issues, CVA reportedly instituted a “no alcohol” policy at its events in October 2014. However, the report alleges that Hegseth and another manager rescinded this policy during a get-out-the-vote operation in North Carolina the following month. The report describes an incident on the eve of the election where Hegseth was allegedly so intoxicated that he had to be helped to his hotel room, having passed out in a van with female staffers. This incident reportedly caused disgust and shock among those who witnessed it, particularly given CVA’s involvement in a high-profile Republican political effort.
In conclusion, the allegations surrounding Pete Hegseth, particularly those detailed in the whistle-blower report and corroborated by other accounts, paint a concerning picture. The questions surrounding “is Pete Hegseth” a responsible and ethical leader are serious and cannot be dismissed lightly. From accusations of sexual assault to repeated instances of public intoxication and mismanagement, these issues raise profound doubts about his suitability for any high-level public office, especially one as critical as Secretary of Defense. While Hegseth and his representatives have denied wrongdoing and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attacks, the weight and consistency of these accusations warrant serious consideration and raise legitimate questions about his judgment and character.
