Trump's Defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth was involved in 2017 sexual assault probe: Police
President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary was involved in a 2017 sexual assault investigation, police confirmed.
Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, was nominated Tuesday to lead the nation's military. Thursday evening, city officials in Monterey, California released a statement confirming his involvement in an investigation into an alleged sexual assault, without disclosing substantial details on the incident or who the allegations were against.
According to the police statement, the incident occurred sometime overnight between Oct. 7-8, 2017. The address listed on the report is that of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course. The incident was reported to police four days later, the release stated.
The victim's information was also kept confidential, but the police report shows the victim had "contusions to (the) right thigh." No weapons were involved, the statement said.
Fox News did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Attorney Timothy Parlatore, who identified himself as representing Hegseth, said the police department's news release shows "there was an allegation that was fully investigated and Mr. Hegseth was cleared of any wrongdoing."
In response to a USA TODAY inquiry about the alleged 2017 incident, the Trump campaign on Friday defended the president-elect's administration selection as "high-caliber."
"Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed," Trump transition spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. "We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense."
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Who is Pete Hegseth?
Trump raised eyebrows when he named Hegseth as his Defense secretary pick, as he broke the tradition of filling the position with Pentagon chiefs with long resumes in government.
Hegseth, 44, worked with Fox News from 2014 until he left following the news of his nomination. Hegseth joined the Army ROTC in college and was deployed overseas with the Army National Guard after graduating, according to a 2022 article in Reserve + National Guard Magazine.
Hegseth's agenda for running the Pentagon appears to be stopping women from serving in combat roles, firing generals who promote "woke" military policies and easing restrictions on troops' conduct in war.
The Defense secretary position requires Senate confirmation, though Trump has floated the idea of using "recess appointments" which would allow for temporary approval quicker.
Contributing: Riley Beggin, Tom Vanden Brook, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Victor Hagan, Zac Anderson
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected], and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pete Hegseth involved in 2017 sexual assault investigation: Police