Pete Hegseth's FBI background check didn't include interviews with key women from his past

The FBI's background check on President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, does not include an investigation into Hegseth's ex-wife or a 2017 sexual assault allegation against him in a California hotel room, according to three sources interview with the woman. Get a firsthand look at what the report is about.

Interviewing current and former spouses is standard procedure when conducting FBI background checks, according to two other sources familiar with the process. But it also depends on the cooperation of the interviewees, and it's unclear whether the FBI has attempted to make contact with these individuals.

Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will hold Hegseth's confirmation hearing on Tuesday, also sent inquiries to lawyers for Hegseth's ex-wife, but they did not share the information with the committee, according to two sources.

The veteran and former Fox News host has faced a lot of controversy and negative accusations since Trump announced Hegseth's selection to lead the Pentagon. Regarding the 2017 sexual assault allegation, Hegseth said the incident was consensual but that he paid an undisclosed amount to the accuser in 2023 as part of a settlement. The local district attorney declined to file charges in the case, saying there was no “evidence beyond a reasonable doubt” to bring charges.

Senate Democrats had already raised alarms about delays in the FBI's examination of Hegseth and expressed concerns about its thoroughness, and Trump's transition downplayed those concerns.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a former state attorney general and member of the Armed Services Committee, told reporters Monday night that Hegseth's confirmation hearing “could be a surprise” “because we were denied access to Certain Materials and Documents” and other information, including FBI reports, may contain information that will be released during the hearing. “

Blumenthal added: “I just want to emphasize that there is enough information in the public record that Peter Hegseth lacks the character and confidence to serve as Secretary of Defense. “There has never been a candidate who was criticized for financial mismanagement, Sexual misconduct and alcoholism make him unfit.”

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the committee's ranking member, briefed Democratic members of the committee on the FBI report Monday night. Reid and committee chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., received the report over the weekend.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Monday.