1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. His troubling history and documented behaviors make him wholly unfit to lead an agency responsible for the safety, well-being, and effectiveness of millions of service members and civilian personnel. As the Secretary of Defense, Hegseth would hold immense influence over our military’s culture, readiness, and future. However, his record demonstrates he poses a direct threat to women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and people of color — all vital members of our military community. Hegseth has a documented history of misogyny, harassment, and alleged sexual assault, making him an unacceptable candidate for a position of public trust. In 2017, he was credibly accused of sexually assaulting a staffer at an event where he was a keynote speaker. Instead of demonstrating accountability, Hegseth entered a confidential settlement with the accuser and threatened retaliation against her for coming forward. Under his leadership in a veterans’ organization, employees also reported retaliation against women for reporting misconduct, compounding a pervasive culture of harassment and abuse. The Department of Defense is already grappling with a sexual assault crisis, with approximately 29,000 service members experiencing unwanted sexual contact in FY 2023 alone. Appointing Hegseth, someone accused of such behavior himself, would undermine progress toward addressing this epidemic and send a harmful message to survivors across the ranks. Moreover, Hegseth’s openly expressed hostility to diversity in the military is deeply troubling. He has dismissed diversity as “garbage,” opposed women serving in combat roles, and disparaged transgender service members. These views are antithetical to fostering an inclusive and effective military, which depends on enabling all service members to serve with dignity and bring their full talents to the mission. Finally, Hegseth’s record of financial mismanagement and public misconduct further calls into question his fitness for any leadership role. Reports of inebriation and dereliction of duty while leading veterans’ organizations only underscore the risks his leadership poses to the Department of Defense. Our service members deserve a Secretary of Defense who exemplifies integrity, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to equality. Pete Hegseth does not meet these standards. His nomination threatens the progress we have made in creating a military culture that values and respects all who serve. I strongly urge you to vote against his confirmation and advocate for a nominee who will lead with honor and uphold the values that define our armed forces. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.