Pete Hegseth
Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth has become a polarizing figure due to his controversial views and personal conduct. He has publicly stated that women should not serve in combat roles, arguing that biological differences make them less suited for such positions . His visible tattoos, including the phrase "Deus Vult" and a Jerusalem cross, have been associated with extremist groups and led to concerns about his suitability for military service . Additionally, Hegseth has faced allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking at work, which he has denied, though reports indicate he settled with an accuser to avoid termination from his previous employer, Fox News . These controversies have sparked significant debate about his leadership and the direction of the Department of Defense under his tenure.
Pete Hegseth has extremist tattoos.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is facing criticism for tattoos he has on his arm, including one of the Arabic word "kafir," meaning "disbelief" or "rejection of true belief," and another reading "Deus Vult," a phrase associated with the First Crusade. Critics argue these tattoos, particularly in combination, signal hostility toward Islam, with some pointing to the phrase "kafir" as offensive to Muslims and the Crusade reference as a symbol of historical violence against them. Hegseth has been previously accused of Islamophobia, and in 2015, he was allegedly heard chanting anti-Muslim slogans in a bar, though he denied the allegations. Additionally, Hegseth's tattoos were reportedly deemed "extremist" by his superiors, which led to his removal from a National Guard deployment during President Biden's inauguration.
Pete Hegseth is known for excessive drinking at work and has sexual misconduct allegations.
During his contentious Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth was confronted with allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking, and financial misconduct. The most serious claim was a 2017 accusation of sexual assault, where a woman alleged that Hegseth had blocked her in a hotel room and taken her cellphone, though he denied the allegations. His lawyer confirmed that the woman was paid a settlement. Additionally, an investigative report revealed that Hegseth had been excessively intoxicated at work events, requiring assistance from colleagues. He was also accused of misusing official funds for personal expenses during his time leading Concerned Veterans for America. Despite these allegations, Hegseth dismissed them as part of a "coordinated smear campaign" and defended his record as he sought to secure enough votes for his confirmation.
Hegseth is opposed to women in military combat.
Pete Hegseth has repeatedly stated that the military has lowered standards to allow women to serve in combat roles. He argues that quotas are imposed on commanders to pass women, suggesting that this has affected military standards. However, advocates for women in the military, including retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Ellen Haring, assert that no standards have been lowered and that the services were given time to set clear, gender-neutral standards when combat roles were opened to women in 2015. Hegseth's views have drawn criticism, especially from women in combat roles, who feel that his comments undermine their accomplishments and contributions. While Hegseth has recently walked back some of his previous comments about women not belonging in ground combat units, his statements continue to spark controversy regarding the inclusion of women in the military.
Hegseth was on the leaked Signal chat, spreading sensitive information through an unauthorized network.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive information about upcoming military strikes in Yemen on March 15 through a private Signal group chat, which included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The information included flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets targeting the Houthis in Yemen, similar to details he accidentally shared in another Signal chat with the editor of The Atlantic. The chat was created by Hegseth before his confirmation as defense secretary and included a dozen people from his inner circle, some of whom, like his wife, are not affiliated with the Defense Department. The revelation of this second private chat, in which Hegseth used his personal phone to share military information, raises concerns about his judgment and handling of sensitive data
Hegseth used an unsecured office internet line to use Signal.
Pete Hegseth reportedly set up an unsecured internet connection in his Pentagon office to bypass security protocols and use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer. This "dirty line," a commercial internet connection, allowed him to access websites blocked by official Pentagon networks and raise concerns about the security of sensitive military information. Hegseth's use of Signal to text classified information to family and friends has led to further scrutiny, with reports revealing that he shared operational details about military strikes in Yemen through private Signal chats. Despite Pentagon spokespersons denying Hegseth used Signal on his government computer, this behavior mirrors past concerns over secure communication practices, recalling the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
Hegseth's mother called him an "abuser of women" after he admitted to having five affairs during his first marriage.
Pete Hegseth has faced intense scrutiny not only for his political stances but also for his turbulent personal life, which includes multiple affairs and allegations of mistreatment toward women. His first marriage to Meredith Schwarz ended after he reportedly admitted to five extramarital affairs, with close sources describing the relationship as emotionally abusive and psychologically damaging to Schwarz. Hegseth’s second marriage to Samantha Deering also collapsed following another affair—this time with Fox News executive producer Jennifer Rauchet, with whom he fathered a child while still married.
Amid the breakdown of that second marriage, Hegseth’s own mother, Penelope Hegseth, sent him a scathing email in 2018 accusing him of being "an abuser of women" and condemning his behavior as manipulative and egotistical. She expressed deep shame and called for someone to hold him accountable. Although she later retracted the accusations and apologized, telling The New York Times they were written “in anger,” the episode has continued to shadow Hegseth’s public image, especially as he assumes a high-profile role in national defense.
Son,
I have tried to keep quiet about your character and behavior, but after listening to the way you made Samantha feel today, I cannot stay silent. And as a woman and your mother I feel I must speak out..
You are an abuser of women — that is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother, it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth.
I am not a saint, far from it.. so don’t throw that in my face,. but your abuse over the years to women (dishonesty, sleeping around, betrayal, debasing, belittling) needs to be called out.
Sam is a good mother and a good person (under the circumstances that you created) and I know deep down you know that. For you to try to label her as “unstable” for your own advantage is despicable and abusive. Is there any sense of decency left in you? She did not ask for or deserve any of what has come to her by your hand. Neither did Meredith.
I know you think this is one big competition and that we have taken her side… bunk… we are on the side of good and that is not you. (Go ahead and call me self-righteous, I dont’ care)
Don’t you dare run to her and cry foul that we shared with us… that’s what babies do. It’s time for someone (I wish it was a strong man) to stand up to your abusive behavior and call it out, especially against women
We still love you, but we are broken by your behavior and lack of character. I don’t want to write emails like this and never thought I would. If it damages our relationship further, then so be it, but at least I have said my piece. [Redacted]
And yes, we are praying for you (and you don’t deserve to know how we are praying, so skip the snarky reply)
I don’t want an answer to this… I don’t want to debate with you. You twist and abuse everything I say anyway. But… On behalf of all the women (and I know it’s many) you have abused in some way, I say… get some help and take an honest look at yourself…
Mom
Hegseth published a paper in college that said raping an unconscious woman isn’t really rape.
In November 2024 Pete Hegseth faced renewed scrutiny over a past sexual assault allegation and his role as publisher of The Princeton Tory in 2002, when it published a controversial article suggesting that sex with an unconscious woman did not clearly constitute rape. Though Hegseth did not write the article, it appeared under his leadership, and his publisher's note affirmed his conservative editorial vision. Hegseth was also known for publishing content critical of feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and progressive campus organizations during his time at Princeton. Following his nomination, it was also revealed that Hegseth paid a woman to prevent a sexual assault lawsuit, though he denied the allegation. The controversy has raised questions about his past views, editorial responsibility, and fitness for the defense secretary role.