- Pete Hegseth’s Appointment: President-elect Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense on November 12, 2024, despite Hegseth’s lack of large-scale management experience.
- Sexual Assault Allegation: Hegseth was accused of sexual assault in October 2017 at a hotel in Monterey, California, resulting in bruising on the accuser’s thigh. The police investigated but did not press charges.
- Response to Allegations: Hegseth has denied the allegations, and his lawyer confirmed that the police found no evidence to proceed. Trump’s communications director reiterated there were no charges filed.
- Public and Political Reaction: The announcement of Hegseth’s nomination caused surprise and concern due to his lack of experience and past controversies, including his support for pardoning service members accused of war crimes.
- Senate Hearing Anticipation: The Senate hearing for Hegseth’s confirmation is expected to be contentious, fueled by both the assault allegations and concerns over his qualifications.
- Background: Hegseth, a National Guard veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, became a Fox News contributor in 2014 and currently co-hosts Fox and Friends Weekend.
- Broader Context: This controversy comes amid other high-profile issues with Trump’s appointees, including Matt Gaetz as attorney general, who has also faced sexual misconduct accusations.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Fox News host and National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense on November 12, 2024, has sparked controversy due to Hegseth’s limited management experience and past allegations. Notably, an accusation of sexual assault from 2017 has resurfaced, although no charges were filed after a police investigation. Hegseth’s denial of the claims and his lawyer’s defense have not quelled the apprehension among officials and the public. This contentious nomination follows other surprising appointments by Trump, raising questions ahead of Hegseth’s upcoming Senate confirmation hearing.
Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth, chosen for Defence Secretary by Donald Trump, faced even more controversy when he was accused of sexual assault in 2017, as reported by the police.
Despite no charges being filed, Trump transition team officials are said to be considering next moves for the Fox News host, who was nominated unexpectedly, causing shock among many in Washington.
President-elect Trump selected the 44-year-old National Guard veteran on Tuesday (November 12, 2024) to lead the world’s most potent military, even though he lacks experience managing a large organization.
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, authorities in Monterey, California stated that they had looked into a report of “a possible sexual attack” at a hotel, with Mr. Hegseth involved, which resulted in bruising on the victim’s right thigh, in early October 2017.
Vanity Fair was the first to report that the Trump team was taken by surprise by the woman’s accusations.
Timothy Parlatore, the attorney of Mr. Hegseth, stated to the publication that the claim had already been looked into by the Monterey police department and no evidence was found.
Mr. Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung stated that Mr. Hegseth has strongly denied all allegations and no legal charges have been made.
Mr. Cheung expressed anticipation for his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense, so that he can begin immediately on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.
Mr. Hegseth’s Senate hearing is expected to be quite tense, not only because of his inexperience but also because of other controversies, like his advocacy for President Trump to pardon service members accused of war crimes during his first term.
Mr. Hegseth became a contributor for Fox News in 2014 and currently co-hosts Fox and Friends Weekend, as well as hosting for Fox Nation.
He also worked as an infantry officer in the National Guard, being sent to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The allegations against Mr. Hegseth arise as Mr. Trump’s choice for attorney general, far-right ex-congressman Matt Gaetz, surprised many due to his prolonged involvement in sexual misconduct accusations.
Mr. Trump was found guilty of financial misconduct for hiding payments to a past pornographic actress and was held accountable for slandering and engaging in sexual misconduct with a writer.
According to the Washington Post, Mr. Hegseth has had three marriages, ending his first one in 2009 due to an “irretrievable breakdown” and “infidelity.”
According to U.S. media reports, his second wife initiated divorce proceedings in September 2017, shortly after he had a child with a Fox News producer whom he later wed.
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