Trump's Defence Department Nominee Pete Hegseth Accused of Sexual Assault in 2017 Incident

Fox News host Pete Hegseth, nominated by Donald Trump for the Department of Defence, faced sexual assault allegations in 2017. The incident allegedly occurred at a Republican women's event in Monterey, California. Despite the accusations, no charges were filed. Hegseth's lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, stated that the claims were "completely false" and mentioned that police found no evidence during their investigation.

Monterey City officials issued a statement about the case but did not release the police report. They cited state public records law as the reason for withholding details, which included law enforcement analysis and conclusions. The alleged assault took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel between late night on October 7 and early morning on October 8, 2017.

Allegations and Investigation

The person who reported the incident had bruises on their right thigh but mentioned no weapons were involved. The identity of this individual was not disclosed. Hegseth was in Monterey to speak at a banquet dinner for the California Federation of Republican Women during their biennial convention.

Vanity Fair first reported these allegations on Thursday. At the time of the alleged incident, Hegseth was undergoing a divorce from his second wife, with whom he shares three children. Court records indicate that his first marriage ended in 2009 due to infidelity.

Trump's Support and Hegseth's Background

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump's transition team, expressed confidence in Hegseth's nomination. "Mr Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed," Cheung stated. He added that they anticipate Hegseth's confirmation as Secretary of Defence to help "Make America Safe and Great Again."

Hegseth has been a strong supporter of Trump's "America First" policies and has advocated for a more lethal military. He has also urged Trump to pardon service members accused of war crimes. In an interview on "The Shawn Ryan Show" podcast, he argued that women serving in combat complicates military operations.

"Everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat, that means casualties are worse," Hegseth said during the podcast interview.

Hegseth's close relationship with Trump led to his consideration for a role in Trump's first administration as well. His nomination this week as Secretary of Defence highlights his influence within Trump's circle.