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Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert Dies at 84
Confirmed
In Short: Former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who served from 1999 to 2007, died at his home due to natural causes.
Former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert, 84, died over the weekend at his home in Kendall County, Illinois, due to natural causes, according to the Kendall County Coroner's office.
Hastert, who served as Speaker from 1999 to 2007, was one of the longest-serving Republican Speakers in history, holding the position for nearly eight years.
His tenure was marked by significant political events, including the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998 and the subsequent resignation of Bob Livingston, who was set to become Speaker.
Hastert's career took a dramatic turn in 2015 when he admitted to sexually abusing teenage students and athletes in the 1960s and 1970s, long before he entered Congress.
In 2015, Hastert was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a hush-money scheme related to the abuse allegations.
The judge in the case called Hastert 'a serial child molester,' highlighting the stark contrast between his political achievements and his personal misconduct.
Hastert's admission came years after he left Congress, but the abuse allegations cast a long shadow over his legacy.
In his own statement, Hastert expressed deep shame and acknowledged that he had 'mistreated' some of his athletes.
The scandal involving Hastert emerged years after he left Congress, but dates back to the 1960s and 1970s when he served as a high school history teacher and wrestling coach in Illinois.
Two wrestlers testified that Hastert performed sex acts on them, and another said the abuse occurred in a motel room when he was 14.
Hastert's path to the Speaker's office was cleared when Livingston resigned after acknowledging extramarital affairs.
Hastert's approach to leadership was characterized by his insistence on majority support for legislation, reflecting his pragmatic and disciplined approach to governance.
What this adds
Hastert's death underscores the dramatic fall from grace that he experienced after his abuse allegations came to light.
What's confirmed
- Former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert, 84, died over the weekend at his home in Kendall County, Illinois, due to natural causes, according to the Kendall County Coroner's office.
- Hastert, who served as Speaker from 1999 to 2007, was one of the longest-serving Republican Speakers in history, holding the position for nearly eight years.
- His tenure was marked by significant political events, including the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998 and the subsequent resignation of Bob Livingston, who was set to become Speaker.
- Hastert's career took a dramatic turn in 2015 when he admitted to sexually abusing teenage students and athletes in the 1960s and 1970s, long before he entered Congress.
- In 2015, Hastert was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a hush-money scheme related to the abuse allegations.
- The judge in the case called Hastert 'a serial child molester,' highlighting the stark contrast between his political achievements and his personal misconduct.
- Hastert's admission came years after he left Congress, but the abuse allegations cast a long shadow over his legacy.
- In his own statement, Hastert expressed deep shame and acknowledged that he had 'mistreated' some of his athletes.
- The scandal involving Hastert emerged years after he left Congress, but dates back to the 1960s and 1970s when he served as a high school history teacher and wrestling coach in Illinois.
- Two wrestlers testified that Hastert performed sex acts on them, and another said the abuse occurred in a motel room when he was 14.
- Hastert's path to the Speaker's office was cleared when Livingston resigned after acknowledging extramarital affairs.
- Hastert's approach to leadership was characterized by his insistence on majority support for legislation, reflecting his pragmatic and disciplined approach to governance.
What's still developing
- Hours before the House voted to approve two articles of impeachment for Clinton linked to his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, Livingston stepped aside and said he would not stand for Speaker in the new year.
- Hastert was criticized in late 2006 for not moving more aggressively to protect teenage House pages after it was discovered that then-Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., sent inappropriate text messages to the pages.
- But Hastert’s career featured one of the most disgraceful falls from grace, becoming the highest-ranking U.S.
- He served as Chief Deputy Whip in the Republican hierarchy in late 1998 when House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., decided to step aside.
- Bob Livingston, R-La., Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, to become Speaker in 1999.
- But behind the accolades, prosecutors said, Hastert sexually abused at least four team members from 1965 to 1981.
- A former wrestler struggled with his emotions as he told the court about his “dark secret” from adolescence.
- Hastert confronted Gingrich about dissatisfaction in the GOP ranks, saying it was unlikely Gingrich could hold his post, Hastert wrote in "Speaker: Lessons from 40 Years in Coaching and Politics."
- Told that was unlikely, Gingrich asked Hastert what to do.
- "Solutions to problems cannot be found in a pool of bitterness," Hastert said in his speech.
- "They can be found in an environment in which we trust one another's word, where we generate heat and passion, but where we recognize that each member is equally important to our overall mission of improving the life of the American people."
- "You know, in this business, especially in a job like this, you can get your head someplace where it shouldn't be," Hastert said in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press.