Trump's Defense Pick Faces Sexual Assault Allegations

Facts

• According to a police report released late Wednesday, a woman reported to California police that Pete Hegseth, US Pres.-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee, sexually assaulted her at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel following a Republican women's conference in October 2017.^[1][2]
• The 22-page investigative report claims that the accuser told police that Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, took her phone, blocked her from leaving the hotel room, and assaulted her despite her saying 'no' repeatedly.^[3][4]
• Hotel surveillance footage appeared to show the accuser, identified as 'Jane Doe,' and Hegseth walking together with linked arms around 1:15 am. Additionally, a hotel employee reported witnessing an argument between the two by the pool around 1:30 am.^[2]
• The woman underwent a sexual assault examination at a hospital four days after the alleged incident and provided police with unwashed clothing from the night in question.^[3][1]
• Hegseth maintained the encounter was consensual and told police he repeatedly ensured the woman was comfortable with their interactions throughout the evening.^[5][6][7]
• No criminal charges were filed, but Hegseth later entered into a confidential settlement agreement with the accuser that included an undisclosed monetary payment.^[3][2]

Sources: ^[1]CBS, ^[2]CNN, ^[3]Time, ^[4]NBC, ^[5]NPR Online News, ^[6]Guardian (a) and ^[7]Guardian (b).

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by Washington Post and CNN. This report should be taken seriously. There have been multiple witnesses who have corroborated concerns about Hegseth's behavior that evening and the victim showed clear signs of trauma. These allegations pull into question the validity of Trump's nomination for Hegseth as the next secretary of defense. He did not go through any of the normal channels of vetting before nomination, which shows the importance of investigating officials before giving them important positions.
• Republican narrative, as provided by New York Post and PJ Media. Coming on the heels of Hegseth's nomination, this is clearly an indirect — albeit, weak — attack on Trump. While the allegations are serious and must be scrutinized, the police investigation found no basis for criminal charges. Hegseth — who is presumed innocent until proven guilty — possesses all the qualities to make a strong secretary of defense, and this report is unlikely to damage his career prospects.