Topline

A police report released late Wednesday about a 2017 sexual assault allegation against Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, shows a California woman complained to the police that she was physically blocked from leaving a hotel room and then sexually assaulted by the former Fox News host, an allegation Hegseth denies.

Key Facts

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Crucial Quote

A spokesperson from the Trump transition team told the Associated Press that the “report corroborates what Mr. Hegseth’s attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false.” However, AP noted the report did not mention if the allegations were false, and the police recommended the case be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review. Hegseth was not charged with any crime in the case.

Contra

Last week, Hegseth denied the allegations through his lawyer Timothy Parlatore, who told the Washington Post Hegseth was “visibly intoxicated” at the time of the incident and alleged the accuser “had been the aggressor,” and led Hegseth “by the arm to his hotel room,” citing surveillance footage. The report mentioned that surveillance footage showed the two of them leaving a hotel bar with their arms locked together. But Hegseth told police he had only consumed some beer at an after-party following the event, and he was only “buzzed” but not intoxicated that night.

Key Background

Trump announced Hegseth as his pick for defense secretary role last week, hailing him as a “Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country” who will make the military “Great Again.” Hegseth has emerged as one of the president-elect’s most controversial cabinet picks, due to his lack of experience along with his right-wing views on women serving in combat and “woke” generals in the Pentagon. A few days later, a woman who said she was a friend of the accuser and was “present and involved” in the case sent a four-page memo about the alleged incident to the Trump transition team. According to the New York Times, Trump has privately defended his defense secretary nominee. However, to be confirmed, Hegseth will need to secure support in the Senate. On Sunday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., acknowledged in an interview the allegation “could” derail Hegseth’s nomination.

Further Reading

New Sexual Assault Allegation Details Against Pete Hegseth Emerge: Here’s What To Know As Trump Defends Defense Secretary Nominee (Forbes)

Police report reveals assault allegations against Hegseth (Associated Press)

Police Report Offers Graphic Details of Sexual Assault Claim Against Hegseth (New York Times)