During Tuesday's Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin raised concerns about the omission of Hegseth's ex-wife from the background check process.
Why It Matters
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, is one of Trump's most contentious Cabinet picks. With questions surrounding his qualifications for leading the Department of Defense and allegations about his personal life, Hegseth faces a challenging confirmation process in the Senate.
Further scrutiny was added when it was revealed that Hegseth had been accused of sexual assault eight years ago. He was never charged and has denied the allegations, claiming the encounter was consensual.
On Friday, FBI officials briefed senior Senate Armed Services Committee members on their background check findings for Hegseth. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jack Reed (D-RI) met separately with the FBI for over an hour.
However, reports from The New York Times stated that one of Hegseth's ex-wives, Samantha Hegseth, was not interviewed, despite her attempts to engage with the FBI. This raised questions, particularly after Samantha proactively sought to provide information to the Bureau.
Lisa Rubin, an MSNBC legal correspondent and former litigator, expressed concern over the lack of interview with Samantha Hegseth in a post on X (formerly Twitter). She asked, "If Samantha Hegseth, Pete Hegseth's second (and now ex-) wife, proactively sought to speak with the FBI about her ex-husband, why was she not interviewed?" Rubin criticized the Senate's inability to develop a responsible background check system for exercising its "advise and consent" duties.
Rubin continued, highlighting the absence of an interview with Hegseth's sexual assault accuser during the FBI’s background check. In November, a woman accused Hegseth of assaulting her in a hotel room. Hegseth denied the allegations, and no charges were filed. Rubin criticized the FBI's background check as "lacking," pointing out the failure to interview both the accuser and his ex-wives. She also emphasized that the Armed Services Committee's decision to proceed with Hegseth's confirmation hearing, despite these gaps, undermines the Senate’s constitutional responsibilities.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL) emphasized the need to review Hegseth’s FBI background check, financial disclosures, and any potential lawsuits or allegations he may be facing. She noted, “Quite a few of the women with significant allegations against him have not been interviewed by the FBI investigators.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also expressed concerns, saying there were "significant gaps and inadequacies" in the report, including the failure to interview key witnesses.
Hegseth's lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, responded to these allegations, stating that the assault claim was thoroughly investigated and Hegseth was cleared. Parlatore argued that this issue should have no bearing on Hegseth’s confirmation process.
What Happens Next
Hegseth's confirmation hearing is ongoing, with a vote pending on whether his nomination will proceed to a full Senate vote. With a 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate, Hegseth can only afford to lose four Republican votes for confirmation.
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