President-elect Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, was involved in a 2017 sexual assault incident in California, according to Monterey City police.
The city confirmed an investigation into an “alleged sexual assault” at a home in the city in October 2017 between the late night hours and early morning.
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 that charges were filed in the case, or 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 on Thursday.
The Vanity Fair report said that in that discussion, Hegseth said the allegation stemmed from a consensual encounter.
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 to 2021. 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.
“I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense,” Trump said in a statement announcing the pick. “Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First.”
Hegseth, a veteran who served in the Army National Guard and retired at the rank of major, has made some comments that could cause him headaches in his confirmation battle.
Hegseth said women should not serve in combat roles and has endorsed firing “woke” generals, who 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.
Trump’s nominee is also known for his efforts to get the former president in his first term to pardon Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who was convicted of posing for a photo with a dead prisoner. He was acquitted on charges of murdering a detainee associated with the Islamic State.
Hegseth also defended the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters at the U.S. Capitol, calling them “mostly peaceful protesters.”
