Pete Hegseth, Trump's Defense Secretary Pick, Was Accused Of Sexual Assault In 2017
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, longtime Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, was accused of sexual assault during a Republican women’s conference in 2017.
The City of Monterey, California, confirmed Thursday that Hegseth was involved in a police investigation of the assault, which allegedly took place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa during a convention hosted by the California Federation of Republican Women.
The unnamed victim suffered contusions to her right thigh in the early hours of Oct. 8, 2017, the report noted, but no charges were ever filed. The woman came forward to file a police report four days after the alleged incident.
According to Vanity Fair, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, was informed of the allegation on Wednesday night, and brought it to Hegseth’s attention the following day. He denied any wrongdoing, saying that the allegation stemmed from a consensual encounter, the magazine said.
The City of Monterey maintains that it has no obligation to make the full police report available to the public.
Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told HuffPost that “these allegations were fully investigated and Mr. Hegseth, who cooperated with investigators, was cleared of any wrongdoing.”
Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, told HuffPost the president-elect “is nominating high-caliber and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his Administration.”
“Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again,” Cheung said.
Fox News did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump’s decision to nominate Hegseth to oversee the Pentagon has made waves around Washington, considering he has no senior military leadership experience.
As one defense official told CNN, “Everyone is simply shocked.”
Hegseth served with the Army National Guard in Iraq, Afghanistan and at Guantanamo Bay. In 2014, he became a contributor at Fox News, and is best known for co-hosting “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
On air, Hegseth has offered an array of eyebrow-raising takes, including that women should not be permitted in combat roles and that Democrats were “rooting for coronavirus to spread” in order to influence voters. He has repeatedly spoken out against “woke” military efforts to promote diversity and inclusion — which Trump has pledged to wipe out.
Need help? Visit RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website.
