Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told reporters Wednesday that she was concerned that the FBI’s background investigation report about secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth is said to have omitted relevant information, such as an interview with the nominee’s former sister-in-law alleging physical intimidation and drunken behavior.
“I’ve heard from others that pertinent information has not been included, and that is troubling,” Collins said. “When you’re making a decision about a nominee, you want to have as complete a picture as possible.”
Collins was referring to complaints from Senate colleagues that relevant interviews were not included in the FBI report on Hegseth’s background, including an interview with Hegseth’s former sister-in-law, who alleged a variety of misconduct in an affidavit later submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Danielle Hegseth said she told the FBI in an interview that the nominee has an alcohol problem and was abusive to his ex-wife Samantha.
She says she told the FBI that Hegseth’s second wife told her that she once hid in a closet because she feared for her personal safety because of her then-husband’s behavior.
Pete Hegseth told senators during his confirmation hearing last week that he’s “not perfect” but he has vigorously denied many of the allegations against him, characterizing them as a “smear” campaign.
He has denied the allegations in Danielle Hegseth’s affidavit.
Samantha Hegseth told NBC News in a statement earlier this week that there was “no physical abuse” in her marriage.
