Trump's Defense Pick Faces Sexual Assault Allegations

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Above: Pete Hegseth speaks to the media following a meeting with Republican Senators on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Nov. 21, 2024. Image copyright: Al Drago/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Facts

  • According to a police report released late Wednesday, a woman reported to California police that Pete Hegseth, US Pres.-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee, sexually assaulted her at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel following a Republican women's conference in October 2017.

  • The 22-page investigative report claims that the accuser told police that Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, took her phone, blocked her from leaving the hotel room, and assaulted her despite her saying "no" repeatedly.

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The Spin

Democratic narrative

This report should be taken seriously. There have been multiple witnesses who have corroborated concerns about Hegseth's behavior that evening and the victim showed clear signs of trauma. These allegations pull into question the validity of Trump's nomination for Hegseth as the next secretary of defense. He did not go through any of the normal channels of vetting before nomination, which shows the importance of investigating officials before giving them important positions.

Republican narrative

Coming on the heels of Hegseth's nomination, this is clearly an indirect — albeit, weak — attack on Trump. While the allegations are serious and must be scrutinized, the police investigation found no basis for criminal charges. Hegseth — who is presumed innocent until proven guilty — possesses all the qualities to make a strong secretary of defense, and this report is unlikely to damage his career prospects.

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