Monterey, California — The fight over President-elect Trump's choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, could become a test of loyalty for Republican veterans — some of whom stood at the center of a bid to remove Hegseth as veterans chief 10 years ago. Charity on allegations of financial mismanagement, frequent drug addiction and sexual misconduct.
One of those who led the effort to remove Hegseth from his post as head of Concerned Veterans of America in 2016 was Jessie Jane Duff, a Marine veteran who served as one of the executive directors of President-elect Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. As revealed by several Republican insiders. The incidents, all of which spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from within the party. CBS News has learned that Duff has sought to remove Hegseth from leadership roles in the veterans group.
When she worked as a senior military advisor at Concerned Veterans for America, Duff reportedly complained about Hegseth's frequent advances. According to Republican insiders with knowledge of the matter, he fostered public intoxication, poor leadership and a toxic work environment within the organization. According to Republican insiders who spoke to CBS News, he reportedly despised Hegseth for his service in the National Guard, emphasizing that he was only a “part-time” soldier and not a full-time active-duty service member. Were.
Tax filings show Hegseth became a director at Veterans for Freedom 2006 and Executive Director in 2007 2008Filings show the organization raised more than $8.7 million in revenue — but spent more than $9 million, including media buys and significant sums on events and initiatives.
By 2010, filing taxes The show's revenue had dropped to just under $265,000. In the nonprofit's 2011 filing, Hegseth was listed as an “officer” rather than its executive director.
Hegseth begins to lead Concerned Veterans for America 2011By 2016The year Hegseth resigned as executive director, filings show the organization raised $15.9 million and listed expenses of $16.4 million.
Next year – The tax filing said the nonprofit reduced its expenses after Hegseth left the position — “major programs developed in the last fiscal year were put on hold.”
The filing also revealed that Concerned Veterans for America had hired Hegseth's brother, Philip Hegseth, while he was still in college.
The New Yorker Sunday Late Night published New information was obtained from internal records and interviews with former employees of the group.
The magazine revealed that a previously undisclosed “whistle-blower report” detailed allegations of sexual misconduct by Hegseth and other men at CVA, and including public intoxication while he was married and serving in the Army National Guard. There were repeated incidents.
CBS News has learned that the allegations contained in the seven-page report originated from Duff and were circulated privately in broader Republican circles outside Concerned Veterans for America in 2018, when Hegseth was named for Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Was sent for.
A source close to Hegseth told CBS News that this report was sent anonymously to Fox News several years ago, allegedly “to try to get him fired”, claiming that Fox did not respond to it. but determined it was “unfounded”.
“Fox News has no record of receiving this report,” a network spokesperson said.
The source called Duff “a disgruntled former employee” in the CVA who made “false claims” about Hegseth to try to damage her television career. “She was jealous because she wanted to be on TV,” the source said. According to two sources, Hegseth fired Duff from Concerned Veterans for America.
In 2016, when employees complained about Hegseth's leadership of Concerned Veterans of America, Charles and David Koch, the billionaire Republican donors who funded the group, forced Hegseth to step down, sources told CBS News. Did. He resigned in January 2016 in a move described as a mutual decision by both Hegseth and the organization, which he said dismissed rumors of a rift. Military Times,
Hegseth's attorney, Tim Parlatore, denied all allegations against his client.
As Hegseth walked through the Capitol and met with senators who will consider his expected nomination to become defense chief, CBS News asked him on Monday why he had resigned from the CVA. He continued walking silently and did not react. When Hegseth was asked if he was concerned that the latest allegations could derail his nomination as defense secretary, he had no comment.
According to Republican sources who spoke to CBS News, Duff was his most vocal critic in private circles until Hegseth was announced as Trump's choice for Secretary of Defense.
But now, Duff publicly supports his impending nomination to lead the Defense Department, and he has defended Her controversial opposition to women serving in the war.
Duff did not respond to multiple calls Monday by CBS News.
getty images
Duff, a Newsmax analyst, served as an advisor to Concerned Veterans for America, while Hegseth led the organization from 2013 to 2016. The organization was formed in 2011 as a Koch-funded non-profit group called the “Vets for Economic Freedom Trust”.
The group promotes conservative views primarily in the areas of both the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, particularly advocating a move toward a privatized health care system.
Hegseth, the 44-year-old former co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekends,” has faced scrutiny related to his personal life and whether he has the experience to manage the Defense Department, the largest U.S. government agency with a budget. $842 billion, approximately 3 million employees and 750 military installations around the world.
Margaret Hoover, host of PBS's “Firing Line” and former adviser to Vets for Freedom, said in a Interview on CNN that Hegseth had managed the organization “very poorly”. Hoover expressed doubts about his ability to run the vast Defense Department as he struggled with a staff of fewer than 10 people and a budget of less than $10 million.
He said, “Based on what I saw over those years, I don't know how he would run an organization with an $857 billion budget and 3 million individuals.”
In response to questions from CBS News about the finances of Veterans for Freedom under his leadership, Hegseth said only, “I love working for the best in the military, and I'm fortunate that the President of the United States gives me the opportunity to do that.” Will represent the best in the Army.”
The whistleblower report obtained by The New Yorker also details several incidents where Hegseth was allegedly intoxicated at work “to the point of requiring exclusion from the organization's programs.”
When Hegseth was asked by CBS News on Capitol Hill about whether he had ever been drunk while traveling for work, he responded, “Can't distinguish that from any response.”
A source close to Hegseth acknowledged that people “sometimes” drank too much alcohol at these events, but said the report's claims about Hegseth were false.
He said, “The idea that an experienced organization of combat veterans who are recently out of the military would drink alcohol or drink too much is not news.” “This is the entire business model of the VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars],
The source said Hegseth has publicly admitted that he “drank a lot” in the past, adding: “Pete isn't living that kind of life right now. He's definitely matured a lot in the last decade Is.”
Last month, it was revealed Hegseth had secretly made financial payments to a woman who accused him of raping her at a Republican women's banquet at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey, California in 2017. monterey city Issued Its 2017 investigation into Hegseth.
The accuser, who has not been publicly named, said she felt as if she had been drugged and recalled repeatedly saying “no” in the hotel room with Hegseth. She alleged that he prevented her from leaving and climbed on top of her. CBS News does not publicly name individuals who have reported alleged sexual assault unless the individual chooses to publicly identify themselves.
Hegseth's attorney Timothy Parlatore previously told CBS News: “This allegation has already been investigated by the Monterey Police Department and they found no evidence.”
The Monterey Police Department sent its report about the alleged assault to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office for review in 2017. Monterey County District Attorney Jeanine M. Pacioni said last month that her office “declined to file charges” in January 2018 because no charges had been filed. Supported by evidence beyond reasonable doubt.”
Hegseth has denied the allegations and claimed that the encounter was consensual.
