President-elect Donald Trump's transition team was caught off guard this week by a sexual assault allegation against one of his Cabinet picks, Pete Hegseth. Hegseth, who was announced as the next secretary of defense, faced accusations related to an alleged incident in Monterey, California, in 2017. Despite not being charged in any criminal case or civil lawsuit, the nature of the allegations raised concerns within Trump's team.
The transition team, led by incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles, questioned Hegseth about the issue. Hegseth, a veteran and Fox News host, had not undergone thorough vetting before his nomination. While some sources indicated that the nomination was still moving forward, doubts lingered about Hegseth's suitability for the role.
