Pete Hegseth, a well-known host on Fox News and Donald Trump’s current nominee to lead the Department of Defense, faced accusations of sexual assault dating back to 2017. These claims emerged following his attendance as a speaker at a Republican women’s event in Monterey, California. However, it is important to note that no criminal charges were brought against him in relation to this incident.
Hegseth’s legal representative, Timothy Parlatore, has publicly dismissed the allegations, asserting that they are “completely false.” Parlatore emphasized that an investigation was carried out by the police at the time and concluded without any evidence to substantiate the claims.
City officials in Monterey chose not to disclose the police report that detailed the allegations but did issue a concise statement addressing media inquiries. This statement indicated that the Monterey Police Department was contacted in October 2017 to investigate a reported sexual assault that allegedly occurred just days earlier at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where Hegseth was present.
The individual who reported the incident, whose identity has not been revealed, reported having bruises on their right thigh. They informed the police that no weapons were involved during the incident, which was said to have taken place between late on October 7 and early the following morning. Hegseth was in the area at that time to speak at a banquet held by the California Federation of Republican Women, as evidenced by promotional materials and social media from that period.
The news of the alleged assault was first featured in an article by Vanity Fair. Monterey officials have withheld additional information contained in the police report on the grounds that it includes law enforcement analysis and conclusions that fall under exemptions in state public records legislation.
At the time of the reported incident in 2017, Hegseth was in the midst of a divorce from his second wife, with whom he shares three children. His second wife’s divorce filing came after it was revealed that he had fathered a child with a Fox News producer, who later became his wife. Hegseth’s first marriage ended in 2009, also amid accusations of infidelity.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump transition team, stated that the president-elect aims to appoint candidates of high quality and qualifications to his administration. Cheung reaffirmed Hegseth’s denial of all accusations and highlighted that no charges had been filed against him, expressing optimism regarding Hegseth’s forthcoming confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense.
Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Defense occurred earlier this week, and he has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, having been considered for a role in the previous administration as well. He has also urged Trump to consider releasing military personnel accused of war crimes. Known for his strong conservative stance, Hegseth supports Trump’s “America First” approach, advocating for a more aggressive military strategy. In a recent conversation on “The Shawn Ryan Show” podcast, he commented that the inclusion of women in combat roles complicates military operations, potentially leading to higher casualties.