Blumenthal Demands Review of Hegseth Records, FBI Background File Following Reporting of Gross Misconduct & Financial Mismanagement

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MI) today sharing his concern that the Committee is preparing to move forward with the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense without access to full information – including a standard FBI background check – about Hegseth’s personal conduct and previous work experience. Today’s letter was also shared with the full membership of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“I am deeply concerned that the Senate Armed Services Committee is considering the nomination of Pete Hegseth for this critically significant position without full information regarding his capacity and experience to lead our military and steward a budget of nearly $850 billion,” Blumenthal wrote.

Blumenthal expressed particular alarm regarding Hegseth’s leadership of Concerned Veterans of America and the Veterans for Freedom. Earlier public reporting revealed that the nominee to lead the Department of Defense was removed from leadership positions at both Concerned Veterans of America and the Veterans for Freedom following significant misconduct and financial mismanagement. “I do not see how this committee can, in good conscience, consider Mr. Hegseth’s nomination without a full review of his conduct while leading these organizations – the only civilian management experience of his career,” Blumenthal wrote. “Available reports show that he ran those organizations into the ground through mismanagement, financial irresponsibility, and possible self-dealing.”

In December, Blumenthal wrote the leadership of the Sente Armed Services Committee requesting that the Committee “ensure that Concerned Veterans of America (CVA) and the Veterans for Freedom (V.F.F.) preserve and produce all financial records and correspondence, particularly concerning credit card transactions, relating to Peter Hegseth’s tenure at these organizations to the Committee for review.”

The full text of today’s letter is available here and copied below.

Dear Chairman Wicker,

As you are aware, the Secretary of Defense’s power and authority over our military is second only to the President of the United States, our nation’s commander-in-chief. The Secretary of Defense directly impacts our national security and the lives of more than 3.4 million people serving in our military in active duty, reserves, and civilian positions. This nominee is among the most significant to come before the Senate as the new Administration assumes office.

I am deeply concerned that the Senate Armed Services Committee is considering the nomination of Pete Hegseth for this critically significant position without full information regarding his capacity and experience to lead our military and steward a budget of nearly $850 billion.

I remain particularly disturbed about well-documented allegations of Mr. Hegseth’s serious financial abuse and gross misconduct as the Executive Director of V.F.F. from 2007 to 2011 and again as the Executive Director of CVA from 2013 to 2016. I do not see how this committee can, in good conscience, consider Mr. Hegseth’s nomination without a full review of his conduct while leading these organizations – the only civilian management experience of his career. Available reports show that he ran those organizations into the ground through mismanagement, financial irresponsibility, and possible self-dealing. It is disappointing that the nominee refuses to make himself available to meet with me and my Democratic colleagues in advance of his nomination hearing.

I have previously requested that the committee receive documents reflecting his involvement with these organizations including credit card transactions and other uses of resources. This committee must also review Mr. Hegseth’s FBI background report, as is especially necessary for this nominee. Any concealment of information suggests that more damning facts are being shielded from us and the American public. Already, a significant amount of derogatory information is in the public record, but more apparently remains to be revealed.  This committee should enable not impede transparency and requests for disclosure, showing this nominee’s gross incompetence and mismanagement.

Thank you for your consideration of my request.

-30-