WASHINGTON: One of Donald Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks just became even more so: Pete Hegseth, tapped for defence secretary earlier this week, was accused of sexual assault in 2017, according to police.

No charges were filed in the case, but shocked Trump transition team officials are nonetheless reportedly weighing next steps for the Fox News host, whose nomination took many in Washington by surprise.

President-elect Trump nominated the 44-year-old National Guard veteran on Tuesday to run the world’s most powerful military, despite having never managed a large organisation.

Police in Monterey, California confirmed on Thursday that they had investigated “an alleged sexual assault” at a hotel involving Hegseth that included bruising to the victim’s right thigh, in early Oct 2017.

News of the woman’s accusations caught the Trump team off guard, according to Vanity Fair, which first reported the story.

Hegseth’s lawyer Timothy Parlatore told the publication that the allegation “was already investigated by the Monterey police department and they found no evidence for it.” And Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said that Hegseth “has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed.

“We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defence so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again,” Cheung said.

Hegseth’s hearing in the Senate is likely to be among the more fraught, not only due to his lack of experience but also other controversies, such as his lobbying of Trump during his first term to pardon service members accused of war crimes.

Hegseth joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 and now co-hosts “Fox and Friends Weekend” and serves as a host for “Fox Nation.” He additionally served as an infantry officer in the National Guard, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The accusations against Hegseth come as Trump’s pick for attorney general, far-right former congressman Matt Gaetz, stunned many following his lengthy embroilment in sexual misconduct allegations. And Trump himself was convicted of financial wrongdoing for covering up payments to a former adult film star and found liable for defaming and sexually abusing an author.

Hegseth has been married three times, divorcing his first wife in 2009 following an “irretrievable breakdown” and “infidelity,” according to the Washington Post. His second wife filed for divorce in Sep 2017, one month after he had a baby with a Fox News producer whom he subsequently married, according to US media.

The allegation has only roiled Hegseth’s already shaky selection to run the largest agency in the federal government that includes millions of service members and civilians and a budget over $800 billion. There was open speculation on Friday in Trump’s orbit about whether Hegseth would ultimately pull his own nomination, with several people concerned that there could be more damaging information to come, reported by CNN.

The president-elect’s pick this week of Hegseth, a nominee without senior military or public office experience, to serve as his secretary of defence had surprised both Pentagon officials and the former president’s own allies.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2024