Hegseth scrutiny grows after sexual assault incident reveal

Defense &
National Security

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Hegseth scrutiny grows after sexual assault incident reveal

President-elect Trump’s pick for Defense secretary, Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, was investigated as part of a 2017 sexual assault incident in California, according to police.

A summary of the police report said the victim suffered a contusion to their right thigh, but the city did not release the report or additional details. The city did not indicate charges were filed in the case, nor name Hegseth as the aggressor.

The Hill has reached out to Trump’s transition team for comment. Vanity Fair reported that Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, along with attorneys, spoke with Hegseth about the sexual assault allegation Thursday.

Hegseth told Trump’s team the allegation stemmed from a consensual encounter, according to Vanity Fair.

Hegseth is one of several controversial picks that Trump has made for his Cabinet.

His selection surprised Washington given his relative lack of experience. But after the nominations of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general, Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary, Hegseth is far from the most controversial figure.

Hegseth was an infantry officer in the Army National Guard from 2002-21. After graduating from Princeton University in 2003, he went on to serve tours in Guantánamo Bay from 2004-05, Iraq from 2005-06 and Afghanistan from 2011-12, according to the Army National Guard.

For the past decade, he has been a Fox News personality and host of its weekend “Fox & Friends” program, during which he has made some comments that could cause him headaches in his confirmation battle.

He said women should not serve in combat roles and has endorsed firing “woke” generals, whom he blames for eroding the military’s strength by focusing on diversity efforts. He has also said the transgender community should not be able to serve in the military.

Read the full report at TheHill.com.

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