Pete Hegseth's Ex-Sister-in-Law Claims Donald Trump's Secretary of Defense Pick Believed Women Shouldn't Be Allowed to Vote

Allegations Rock Pete Hegseth's Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Defense

NBC broke the explosive story of sworn testimony from Danielle Hegseth, the ex-sister-in-law of President Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. 
In a shocking affidavit released ahead of Hegseth's Senate confirmation hearing, Danielle alleged that Samantha Hegseth, Pete's former wife, had a safety "escape plan" involving a secret code to alert family and friends. 
These claims, paired with revelations about Hegseth's ties to ultra-conservative Christian nationalist groups, have cast a shadow over his nomination.
Here's everything to know.
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Alarming Allegations of Domestic Turmoil

Danielle's affidavit describes a disturbing picture of Pete's marriage to Samantha.
According to the testimony, Samantha feared for her safety to the point of using her plan to flee with a coded message to signal friends and family if she was in danger. 
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) called the allegations "troubling," adding that such claims require thorough investigation before confirming someone to such a powerful position. 
Both Pete and Samantha have denied the accusations, but the affidavit has raised serious concerns about the former's fitness for the role.

The TheoBros Connection

The nominee's affiliations with the TheoBros, a network of ultra-conservative Christian nationalists, have come under intense scrutiny. These groups advocate for the subservience of women and adherence to biblical law in American governance. 
In a 2023 interview, Doug Wilson, a leading figure in this movement and author of My Life for Yours, stated that women should not have been given the right to vote. Pete, who attends a church within Wilson's denomination, reportedly shares these views raising questions about how his beliefs might influence his decisions as defense secretary.

Extreme Beliefs on Women's Roles and Voting Rights

Hegseth has long opposed women serving in combat roles in the military, but his alleged belief that women should not vote or work takes these views to a "new extreme." 
Joel Webbon, a TheoBro pastor connected to the nominee's circle, infamously claimed, "A nation cannot elevate women to civil authority and save babies at the same time." 
Critics argue that these sentiments are not only outdated but dangerous, particularly for someone poised to lead one of the most powerful institutions in the country.

Denial and Defiance

Both Pete and Samantha have denied the claims outlined in Danielle's affidavit. In a statement, the Cabinet nominee dismissed the allegations as "baseless smears designed to derail my confirmation." 

Despite the controversy, the Trump administration has doubled down on its support for Pete, emphasizing his military background and leadership experience. 

However, the Senate vote on his confirmation remains uncertain as lawmakers weigh the gravity of the allegations against him.

What's Next 

With a Senate vote looming, Pete's nomination faces an uphill battle. The allegations, combined with his ties to the TheoBros and their patriarchal ideologies, have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. 
Whether the Senate confirms him as defense secretary will hinge on "how lawmakers balance his military credentials against the troubling accusations and ideological concerns that have surfaced during the confirmation process," a political analyst shared. 
The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the direction of the Department of Defense.