'Dark horse' trips up Hegseth as 'spousal abuse stuff' puts pick for Army chief in doubt

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's personal choice to run the Army is running into a wall of his own making — and a little-known Pentagon budget official is emerging as the beneficiary.

Sean Parnell, Hegseth's chief spokesman and senior adviser, has been the administration's presumed favorite to replace Dan Driscoll as Army secretary. But Senate Republicans are making clear he doesn't have the votes, according to The Hill.

"His record, particularly the spousal abuse stuff, is just a bridge too far for the vast majority of people," Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) told reporters. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said he'd vote no outright, citing Parnell's press restrictions at the Pentagon."If you're proud of your work product, you want press to ask you the tough questions," he said.

A GOP Senate aide put it more bluntly: "Everyone knows the backing just isn't there."

The allegations date to 2021, when Parnell abandoned his Pennsylvania Senate campaign after his estranged wife accused him in a custody dispute of choking, strangling and abusing her and their children. He has denied the claims.

That opening "has fueled a late surge" for "dark horse" Marc Andersen, the Army's assistant secretary for financial management, whom Army Times reports is drawing support from senior Pentagon officials and retired brass as a "squeaky-clean" alternative.

One senior official told The Hill, Andersen "has already proven he can do the job," pointing to his budget record and relationships on Capitol Hill. Retired Air Force Gen. Timothy Ray called him someone who "really understands the problems and solutions needed and has a great relationship with the Hill." Reps. Brian Mast and Adam Telle are also in the mix.

Driscoll abruptly resigned after clashing with Hegseth, despite Trump's private pleas that he stay through the midterms, The Hill reported.