Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary faces unresolved sexual assault investigation

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, was previously the subject of a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault in 2017, California officials confirmed on November 14.

The city government of Monterey, California, released a statement acknowledging that its police department had investigated “an alleged sexual assault” involving Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, Caliber.Az reports via CNN.

The incident was reported to have occurred in the early morning of October 8, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, with the report filed four days later.

Hegseth had been a speaker at a conference hosted by the California Federation of Republican Women at the Hyatt Regency during the time the alleged assault occurred. Photos from the event, posted on Facebook, place him at the location that weekend.

While the statement did not name Hegseth explicitly as a suspect, it confirmed his involvement in the investigation, keeping the victim's identity confidential. It also noted that there were no weapons involved but did cite “contusions to the right thigh” as the injuries reported, without further elaboration. Citing California’s public records laws, the city said it would not disclose the full police report or provide additional comments on the investigation.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, came to Hegseth’s defence in a statement to CNN, touting the nominee’s qualifications. “Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed,” Cheung said. “We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.”

Trump’s transition team, including incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, reportedly discussed the allegations with Hegseth on November 14. According to another American media outlet which cited two anonymous sources, Hegseth described the incident as a consensual sexual encounter. Timothy Parlatore, Hegseth’s attorney, also addressed the matter, stating, “This allegation was already investigated by the Monterey police department and they found no evidence for it.” 

The outcome of the investigation remains unclear, as the city’s statement did not specify whether any formal action was taken. According to a Monterey County court spokesperson, Hegseth has not faced any criminal charges or civil lawsuits in the county since 2017.

Trump’s announcement of Hegseth as his pick for Secretary of Defense came on Tuesday, surprising many within the Pentagon and even Trump’s own supporters, given that Hegseth lacks senior military or public office experience. Known for co-hosting “Fox & Friends Weekend” and previously leading several nonprofit organizations, Hegseth also made an unsuccessful bid for the US Senate in Minnesota in 2012.

Hegseth has been a vocal critic of military policies promoting diversity and has controversially opposed women serving in combat roles. In a recent interview, he declared, “Women shouldn’t be in combat at all. They’re life-givers, not life-takers.”

By Tamilla Hasanova