It’s unlikely to work. An ex-sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, has provided an affidavit maintaining that secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth’s second wife, Samantha Hegseth, was afraid of him as their marriage melted down. But Samantha is pushing back, as the NBC piece notes:
In an email response Monday, Samantha Hegseth said: “First and foremost, I have not and will not comment on my marriage to Pete Hegseth. I do not have representatives speaking on my behalf, nor have I ever asked anyone to share or speak about the details of my marriage on my behalf, whether it be a reporter, a committee member, a transition team member, etc.”
She added, “I do not believe your information to be accurate, and I have cc’d my lawyer.”
Asked what information was not accurate and for comment on the affidavit, she replied on Tuesday: “There was no physical abuse in my marriage. This is the only further statement I will make to you, I have let you know that I am not speaking and will not speak on my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision.”
There’s also this:
Both Pete Hegseth and Samantha Hegseth signed a 2021 court document that said neither parent claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse.
I’m guessing that Danielle Hegseth doesn’t know how discrediting this sounds:
She adds that part of her reason for coming forward is “because I have been assured that making this public statement will ensure that certain Senators who are still on the fence will vote against Hegseth’s confirmation. But for that assurance I would not subject myself or others referred to in this statement to the public scrutiny this statement is likely to cause.”
If she’s expecting this to sink Hegseth, she’s very likely to be disappointed. (1) Republicans, by all accounts, have already made up their minds, so an allegation has to be explosive and firmly corroborated. (2) There is going to be inherent suspicion about any last-minute allegations. (3) Hegseth’s admission that he’s not perfect and contention that he is now a changed man (and will stop drinking) provides him a pretty ample cushion.
He still has to be considered on the path to confirmation.