Topline
Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Friday, scrutinizing him over costly maintenance and “emergency” painting of his government-owned home.
The letter was sent to Hegseth on Friday. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Key Facts
The letter, written by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., said the Army told the Appropriations Committee about plans to “exceed the $35,000 threshold for operation, maintenance and repair” of a government home that will be occupied by Hegseth, who also owns a house in Tennessee.
The Democrats said the total requirement for the housing work was $137,297, with $49,900 of the figure needed for an “emergency” paint job.
The letter to Hegseth asks the secretary why the emergency paint job was necessary, what rent he will pay for the house and asks him to provide a list of former secretaries of defense who needed government-furnished housing with the same costs needed to maintain his own home before occupancy and annual rent was paid.
The specifications of the home are not clear, though Democrats said in a statement Friday the house had 4,000 square feet of space.
It’s unusual but not unheard-of for defense secretaries—who are technically civilians—to live in government housing: Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who served the Bush and Obama administrations, was the first in the role to live in military housing, the Stars and Stripes newspaper reported, noting he paid $6,500 a month for an “old but spacious 19th century home” in Washington, DC.
It is common for secretaries of defense to live in private housing, according to Military.com, as former Biden administration Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin lived in a nearly $3 million, 8,700-square foot house in Great Falls, Virginia, while holding the position, Task and Purpose reported.
Military homes with maintenance and repair costs over $35,000 require military branches to report what housing units have costs above the threshold and provide a “detailed justification” for whichever authority is responsible for reimbursing the costs.
The Department of Defense did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
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Crucial Quote
“The highly paid TV personality wants the public to cover this and other living expenses at a time when many servicemembers and their families reside in unacceptable housing conditions that include mold, lead paint, and other hazards,” Democrats wrote in the letter. Military families have raised concerns about lead paint, mold and insufficient repairs for military housing. An investigation by Reuters in 2019 found more than 100 military bases with housing had overall negative satisfaction scores on surveys that noted thousands of reports of mold, pest infestations and housing-related health problems.
Forbes Valuation
We estimate Hegseth and his wife are worth about $3 million—a figure that includes cash, investments and $700,000 in home equity. The secretary’s salary is $235,100, or about one-tenth of the over $2 million annual salary he made as a host at Fox. Forbes estimates Hegseth and his wife’s main asset, a 77-acre home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, is worth about $3.2 million today. The home was purchased for a little over $3.4 million three years ago, with the Hegseths now doling out over $19,000 per month on the $2.5 million remaining mortgage cost.
Key Background
Hegseth has been the subject of intense scrutiny from Democrats throughout his nomination and confirmation as defense secretary. Democrats expressed concerns over a sexual misconduct allegation levied against Hegseth (which he denies), as well as excessive drinking accusations linked to his time as president of Concerned Veterans for America in 2016. Democrats have also criticized Hegseth for his views on women in the military, as the secretary has publicly said women should not be in combat roles. Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voted against confirming Hegseth, siding with Democrats and their issues with Hegseth. Murkowski said she could not “in good conscience” support his nomination. Hegseth, who has denied many of the allegations against him, was confirmed by the Senate after Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 tie.
Further Reading
Pete Hegseth Sworn In As Defense Secretary After JD Vance Cast Tie-Breaking Vote—Here’s What To Know (Forbes)
Here’s How Much Pete Hegseth Is Worth—And It’s Less Than You Might Thin (Forbes)
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