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.

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.

A cloud of controversy has hung over Hegseth, but he now appears to be on track to be confirmed as Trump's defense secretary.

The nominee can only afford to lose three GOP senators if Democrats unite against him so attention could now shift to Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and other potential swing votes.

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.

In a signed affidavit, Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law claimed his ex-wife was terrified of him and hid in a closet when he threatened her.

In a sworn affidavit, Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law said Hegseth's ex-wife told her she at one point "feared for her personal safety" during her marriage to him.