Official transcript or recording of the Senate hearing

22-Page Police Report Details 2017 Sexual Assault Allegations Against Trump's Defense Pick Pete Hegseth

Nov 21, 2024, 02:42 PM

A newly released 22-page police report provides graphic details of a 2017 sexual assault allegation against Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary. The woman told Monterey police that after Hegseth delivered a keynote speech at a California convention, he took her phone, blocked the door of his hotel room, and sexually assaulted her despite her repeated refusals. She suggested she might have been drugged. The incident was first reported by a nurse after the woman underwent a rape-kit exam at a local hospital. The report, obtained through a public records request, includes Hegseth's denials of any wrongdoing and states that he was not charged. It also notes that two other women at the event said Hegseth placed a hand on their thighs and invited them to his hotel room. A settlement was reached with the woman in 2023 to avoid a civil lawsuit, according to Hegseth's lawyer. The release of the report comes as Hegseth begins meetings with senators on Capitol Hill to secure his confirmation, with some expressing support, such as Senator John Barrasso, and others raising concerns over the allegations.