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Following Donald Trump’s decisive election victory, mainstream media outlets have shifted their focus to scrutinizing his cabinet selections, with Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth becoming their latest target.

Sources indicate the New Yorker is developing an extensive critical piece about Hegseth, drawing from accusations made by a disgruntled former colleague. These claims are being strategically circulated as Hegseth approaches his Senate confirmation hearings.

The accusations date back to 2014, originating from a female former employee who was dismissed from Concerned Veterans of America (CVA), where she worked alongside Hegseth.

Insiders characterize the former colleague as someone who has orbited Trump’s circle for years, harboring aspirations of becoming a Fox News personality. Her resentment reportedly intensified when Hegseth was considered for the Veterans Affairs secretary position during Trump’s first term.

The accusations surfaced during this period, when she authored a document criticizing CVA for age-based discrimination and highlighting alleged alcohol use by organization leaders, including Hegseth, at various work-related gatherings in 2014.

Her account details Hegseth’s apparent intoxication at a holiday celebration and describes post-campaign drinking sessions in North Carolina, where staff members, Hegseth included, socialized until early morning hours.

She further alleged that Hegseth became heavily intoxicated alongside a CVA advisor and Medal of Honor recipient Marine Dakota Meyer during a Defend Freedom Tour event. She also claimed Hegseth and the advisor displayed inappropriate behavior toward a touring performer.

The former employee criticized a Gold Star widow’s emotional presentations about her husband’s death in Afghanistan, mentioning incidents of public intoxication and holding Hegseth responsible for her involvement.

During this period, Hegseth was serving as a 34-year-old National Guard captain, having recently completed his second combat tour in Afghanistan during the surge.

The accuser attempted to diminish Hegseth’s military service, incorrectly claiming he avoided combat operations and served in protected areas.

These allegations were demonstrably false. In 2005, Hegseth led combat operations in Iraq, commanding a platoon in Baghdad and Samarra. Now-retired Army Sgt. Maj. Eric Geressy told the Washington Post the fighting was “especially intense.”

“The enemy really threw everything at us there,” Geressy told the Post. “Suicide bombers, mortars, rockets — anything and everything.”

Hegseth’s combat experience is verified by his combat infantryman badge, awarded exclusively for battlefield service.

The former colleague’s complaint concluded with allegations of age discrimination, claiming CVA systematically removed experienced veteran staff.

She wrote, “Just about all of the staff/advisers/contractors who created the organization and built it have been cut. All of the original people were brought on by Joe Gecan. Almost all are over 45+ years old and veterans. It seems obvious the young CEO, Pete Hegseth, and his team have no appreciation for anyone having more experience than them and, therefore, to keep in CVA. This can be perceived as age and veteran discrimination. Look at all of the staff and advisers cut and you will see a definite trend.”