An affidavit provided to senators said that President Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee abused alcohol and that his behavior made his second wife fear for her safety.

Iowa's Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, ending weeks of speculation about whether she would stand in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump.

The Iowa Republican’s decision dramatically increases the likelihood that Mr. Hegseth will have enough votes to be confirmed as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s defense secretary.

Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law said in an affidavit to senators on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon abused his second ex-wife to the point where she once hid in a closet and gave friends a code word to use in a crisis.

The Defense secretary nominee's former sister-in-law, in an affidavit, said she witnessed his drunken aggression and that his second wife worried about her safety.

Trump's defence secretary nominee has denied claims of spousal abuse, made by his former-sister in law in an affidavit.

Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law gave an affidavit to the Senate Armed Services Committee accusing him of being “abusive” toward his second ex-wife, according to a copy of the affidavit obtained by CNN.

Fox News senior national correspondent Aishah Hasnie reports on the latest accusations against Pete Hegseth as he seeks confirmation to lead the Pentagon on ‘Special Report.’

As senators weigh the fate of Pete Hegseth's Pentagon nomination, the former Fox News host is dealing with yet another personal controversy.