Trump's choice of minister investigated for assault

TV anchor Pete Hegseth, who Donald Trump wants to see as the USA's next defense minister, was investigated in 2017 for suspected sexual assaults, confirms a police report. No charges were filed.

» Published: November 21 2024

Trump's choice of minister investigated for assault
Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/TT

Share this article

The events are said to have taken place at a hotel in the picturesque coastal town of Monterey, where a Republican women's association had a convention. A woman has stated in an interrogation that Pete Hegseth "physically prevented her from leaving the hotel room, took her phone and sexually assaulted her". This happened despite her remembering saying no repeatedly, according to a 22-page police report that the news channel CNN has taken part of.

The intended Defense Secretary denies the allegations and claims that the sexual encounter took place with consent.

Paid the woman

However, through his lawyer, Hegseth has admitted to paying the woman in question a sum of money when she threatened to sue him in 2020. He explains this by saying he was afraid of losing his job at the news channel Fox News during a time characterized by the #metoo movement.

The police report confirms what I've said all along, the incident was fully investigated and the police found the allegations to be untrue, which is why no charges were brought, says Hegseth's lawyer Timothy Parlatore to CNN.

The report, however, does not conclude that the allegations are false.

Pete Hegseth, who has been a national guardsman and served in Cuba and Iraq, is described as one of the future President Donald Trump's more controversial appointments. He is considered inexperienced and has made headlines when he has questioned women in combat roles in the military, and politically correct "woke" programs.

Uncertain in the Senate

It is not certain that Hegseth will get the green light in the Senate, which approves ministerial candidates. The same applies to Matt Gaetz, former Representative from Florida, whom Trump wants to see as Justice Minister. Gaetz has been investigated for suspected human trafficking and sexual harassment.

Even Robert F Kennedy Jr, whom Donald Trump has nominated for the post of Health Minister, is accused of sexual harassment. This by a nanny who lived with his family in 1999, writes USA Today.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Finnish Air Force Removes Swastika from Flags
1 MIN READ

Finnish Air Force Removes Swastika from Flags

Norway Faces Severe Impact from Landslides and Rockslides
2 MIN READ

Norway Faces Severe Impact from Landslides and Rockslides

Houthi Prime Minister Killed in Israeli Air Strike in Sanaa
1 MIN READ

Houthi Prime Minister Killed in Israeli Air Strike in Sanaa

EU Criticizes US Visa Ban on Palestinian Delegates for UN Assembly
2 MIN READ

EU Criticizes US Visa Ban on Palestinian Delegates for UN Assembly

Australia to Relocate Migrants to Nauru Under New Agreement
1 MIN READ

Australia to Relocate Migrants to Nauru Under New Agreement

Half a Million Evacuate Due to Severe Floods in Eastern Pakistan
1 MIN READ

Half a Million Evacuate Due to Severe Floods in Eastern Pakistan

Gaza City Evacuation Plan Deemed Unrealistic by Red Cross Chief
2 MIN READ

Gaza City Evacuation Plan Deemed Unrealistic by Red Cross Chief

Ukrainian Politician Andrij Parubij Shot Dead in Lviv
1 MIN READ

Ukrainian Politician Andrij Parubij Shot Dead in Lviv

Hunger Crisis in Gaza: Malnutrition Claims More Lives
1 MIN READ

Hunger Crisis in Gaza: Malnutrition Claims More Lives

Car Drives into Crowd in Évreux, France: One Dead, Five Injured
1 MIN READ

Car Drives into Crowd in Évreux, France: One Dead, Five Injured

EU Faces Growing Pressure to Allocate Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine
1 MIN READ

EU Faces Growing Pressure to Allocate Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine

Texas Approves Bill Allowing Lawsuits Over Abortion Pill Distribution
1 MIN READ

Texas Approves Bill Allowing Lawsuits Over Abortion Pill Distribution

Colombian Politician Miguel Uribe Londoño Runs for President After Son's Tragic Death
2 MIN READ

Colombian Politician Miguel Uribe Londoño Runs for President After Son's Tragic Death

Norway Landslide Halts Rescue Efforts, Search for Missing Man Begins
3 MIN READ

Norway Landslide Halts Rescue Efforts, Search for Missing Man Begins

Court Blocks Trump's Expanded Fast-Track Deportation Plan
2 MIN READ

Court Blocks Trump's Expanded Fast-Track Deportation Plan

EU Divided on Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict
3 MIN READ

EU Divided on Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

White House Efforts Ongoing for Putin-Zelensky Meeting
1 MIN READ

White House Efforts Ongoing for Putin-Zelensky Meeting

Trump's Vision to Transform Washington DC: Safety and Beautification Plans
3 MIN READ

Trump's Vision to Transform Washington DC: Safety and Beautification Plans

Ukraine Hit by Massive Overnight Attacks; Several Injured
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Hit by Massive Overnight Attacks; Several Injured

Missouri Governor Seeks to Redraw Electoral Districts for GOP Gains
1 MIN READ

Missouri Governor Seeks to Redraw Electoral Districts for GOP Gains