GOP insiders sought Hegseth's removal as leader of veterans' group in 2016

Monterey, California — The battle over President-elect Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, may become a test of loyalty for Republican stalwarts — some of whom stood at the center of a bid 10 years ago to remove Hegseth as the head of a veterans' charity over allegations of financial mismanagement, repeated intoxication and sexual misconduct.

One of those who led the effort to oust Hegseth as head of the Concerned Veterans of America in 2016 was Jessie Jane Duff, a Marine veteran who served as one of President-elect Donald Trump's 2024 campaign executive directors, according to multiple Republican insiders familiar with the events, all of whom spoke on the condition they not be named over fear of reprisals from those within the party. Duff sought Hegseth's removal from leadership roles in the veterans' group, CBS News has learned. 

While she worked at Concerned Veterans for America as a senior military adviser, Duff allegedly complained about Hegseth's frequent public intoxication, poor leadership and the toxic work climate he fostered within the organization, according to Republican insiders with knowledge of the matter. She also allegedly slighted Hegseth for his service in the National Guard, underscoring that he had only been a "part-time" soldier and not a full-time active-duty servicemember, according to Republican insiders who spoke to CBS News.