Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary has been the target of an investigation for alleged sex misconduct. Officials in Monterey, California, confirmed Thursday that Hegseth was the subject of a police investigation after an alleged incident at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel years ago.
The investigation stemmed from a report filed in October 2017, which described "contusions" on a woman's right thigh. Monterey police said that no weapons were involved and provided no further details, citing the sensitivity of the case.
Trump's incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and his legal team were briefed on the allegations, Vanity Fair reported. Hegseth reportedly characterized the incident as a consensual encounter and dismissed it as a "he-said, she-said" situation.
Timothy Parlatore, a lawyer with military legal experience, told the outlet, "This allegation was already investigated by the Monterey Police Department, and they found no evidence for it." No charges were filed.
Responding to the resurfaced allegations, Trump communications director Steven Cheung defended Hegseth, saying, "He has vigorously denied any and all accusations. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense."
Hegseth, a Princeton and Harvard graduate and decorated veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, has long been a vocal Trump ally. He joined Fox News in 2014 and co-hosts Fox & Friends Weekend. His nomination has sparked debate over his ability to manage the Pentagon's $842 billion budget, its nearly 3 million employees, and 750 global military installations. "[The Pentagon] is getting a leader who has the grit to make it happen," said Rep. Mike Waltz, a Republican and former Army Green Beret.
However, Democratic Rep. Jason Crow, an Army veteran, criticized the choice, saying Hegseth is "not remotely qualified." Crow added, "This is not an entry-level job for a TV commentator."
Some of Hegseth's controversial conservative positions have also drawn attention. He has called for the dismissal of Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for "pursuing radical left-wing policies, and opposes women in combat roles . "I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made us more effective, hasn't made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated."
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