1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I strongly urge voting against Pete Hegseth's nomination as Secretary of Defense. The disturbing revelations about his past conduct raise serious concerns about his suitability for such a critical role overseeing our nation's military. The detailed whistle-blower report and corroborating accounts from former colleagues paint a deeply troubling picture of Hegseth's leadership at the veterans advocacy groups he previously headed. Allegations of rampant financial mismanagement, unprofessional and unethical behavior including sexual impropriety towards staffers, and repeated instances of being intoxicated on the job are simply disqualifying for someone being considered for this vital Cabinet position. Equally alarming are the allegations of sexual assault against Hegseth from 2017, which though not criminally prosecuted, led to him secretly settling with his accuser. Failing to disclose this during the vetting process is an egregious lapse that alone should call his nomination into question. The Secretary of Defense has immense responsibilities in safeguarding national security, approving military operations with potential civilian casualties, and overseeing our nuclear capabilities. We cannot entrust such grave matters to someone with this concerning pattern of personal misconduct and poor judgment. Pete Hegseth's troubled history undermines the public's faith that he can faithfully execute the duties of this critical office. Rejecting his nomination is imperative to upholding the integrity of our defense leadership.