1. He's obsessed with extreme right-wing Christianity and has the tattoos to prove it

In a series of podcasts, Hegseth appeared to endorse the theocratic and authoritarian doctrine of "domestic sovereignty," a worldview rooted in the extremist beliefs of Christian Reconstructionism and inspired by an alliance with far-right Idaho pastor Douglas Wilson support of the church.

In interviews, Heggs expressed agreement with the principle of domain sovereignty, which envisioned "civil government" subject to Old Testament law, the death penalty for violations of that law such as homosexuality, and a strictly patriarchal family and church.

Extremism experts sounded alarm bells about his nomination, also pointing to his tattoos, which feature a tapestry of symbols widely embraced by Christian nationalists, including a Jerusalem cross on his chest, an American flag with 13 stars, and Partially obscured by assault weapons. shoulders and "God wants” (“God willing”) on his bicep.

2. He was accused of sexual misconduct and assault against his ex-wife

Although Hegseth denied the allegation, he paid a $50,000 settlement to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. He took her phone and blocked the door to the hotel room where they were staying to prevent her from leaving, according to police reports. During his confirmation hearing, he refused to answer questions about the incident, calling it an "anonymous smear."

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, confirmed this week that senators had received an affidavit from Hegseth's former sister-in-law saying the candidate's aggressive behavior prompted concern for his second wife own safety. Hegseth and his ex-wife, who divorced in 2018, have denied the allegations.

According to Reed, testimony outlined claims that Hegseth frequently drank heavily and caused his family to fear for their safety.

Testimony revealed that Hegseth's second wife, Samantha Hegseth, became so frightened that she and her friends developed a "safe word" to indicate when she was in danger, and at one point Hiding in a closet from her then-husband.

3. He also faces charges of excessive drinking in the workplace

The New Yorker reported last year that Hegseth was seen drunk at multiple events hosted by the nonprofit he headed between 2013 and 2015, based on whistleblower reports. "I've seen him drunk a lot of times," said one person who contributed to the campaign. The report told The New Yorker. "I've seen him dragged away many times, but Various Second-rate".

Testimony seen by senators also alleged that he often drank so much at house parties that he passed out and once had to be dragged out of a strip club while in uniform.

The New Yorker also reported that as recently as spring 2023, Hegseth ordered three gin and tonics at a weekday breakfast.

During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth acknowledged that he was "not a perfect person." He promised senators that he had stopped drinking and would not do so if confirmed as defense secretary. But he won't commit to resigning if he drinks on the job.

4. He said women should not be in combat roles

Although Hegseth walked back those comments after being called out by Trump, he said in recent interviews that he doesn't believe women should be in combat roles. "I've said outright that we shouldn't have women in combat roles," he said on Shawn Ryan's podcast last November. "It doesn't make us more efficient, it doesn't make us more lethal, it makes the fight more complex."

Female members of the Armed Services Committee, including Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a former Army National Guard commander, expressed concern about his comments. Still, Ernst said she would support him.

According to Reed, the affidavit obtained by the senators also claims Hegseth said "women should not vote or work."

5. He was accused of mismanaging the nonprofit's finances

The New Yorker reported that Hegseth was forced to resign by the two nonprofit groups he ran, Liberty Veterans and Concerned American Legion, amid accusations of financial mismanagement and sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse.

The New Yorker obtained a whistleblower email sent to a former Concerned Veterans of America detailing how Hegseth "treated organizational funds as if they were personal expense accounts."

The financial situation at Veterans for Freedom under Hegseth was so dire that donors tried to figure out how to wrest control of the organization from his hands. “I saw him run an organization very poorly and lose the confidence of donors,” Margaret Hoover, a former adviser to the organization, told The New Yorker. “The organization eventually folded and was forced to merge with another organization that the individual believed could operate and manage funds on behalf of donors more responsibly than he could.”