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.

Senators vetting the nomination of Pete Hegseth for defense secretary received an affidavit from a former sister-in-law alleging that the onetime Fox News was abusive to his second wife to the point where she feared for her safety.

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.

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

The former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth told senators in a sworn affidavit that he caused his second wife to fear for her personal safety and abused alcohol over the course of many years.

Hegseth, through his attorney, firmly denied the latest allegations, which come as his nomination to lead the Pentagon is set to go before the Senate this week.

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

Senators have received an affidavit from the former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth, President Trump's nominee to serve as secretary of defense, that says his behavior caused his second wife to fear for her safety.