Rape victim pleads against Hegseth on Fox News

Fox News contributor Leslie Marshall on Sunday sharply criticized Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, after the details of a sexual assault allegation against him were made public.

But Marshall first focused on former Fox News host Hegseth’s alleged history of infidelity, a crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

“With all due respect to my former colleague, we know that there have been three cases of adultery against Pete Hegseth, and that is relevant,” Marshall said on Fox News’ “MediaBuzz.” “And the reason why it is relevant is that Article 134 of the UCMJ considers adultery against the military, of which the Ministry of Defense is a part. You can’t lead a whole organization and all these people if you can’t lead by example, one.”

Marshall, who said she is a rape victim, then elaborated on the sexual assault allegation that was recently made public.

“It’s very difficult for a woman to go in and have a rape kit made. It’s very difficult physically, mentally and emotionally to go through that process the way I did,” Marshall said. “A person doesn’t go to the hospital and submit to that. And I have to say: I, as a woman and as a victim, believe the victims, and this is a problem for me. …And furthermore, while Pete has an incredible military career, he doesn’t have the leadership career in the military that I think the Department of Defense needs as its head.

In contrast, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) dismissed the accusation as a possible distraction for ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday.

“These are all allegations,” Hagerty said.

“Don’t let these accusations distract us. What we need is real, significant change. The Pentagon has focused more on pronouns than on their lethality over the past four years. We have to get back to work, and I think Pete is the right person to do that.”

Hagerty’s position is consistent with that of many Republicans, who have chosen not to speak out publicly against Trump’s controversial Cabinet picks.

The alleged attack took place in 2017 in Monterey, California. Hegseth has denied the accusation through his lawyer.

Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, indicated that the accusation would not affect Hegseth’s position.

“Mr. Hegseth has strongly denied all allegations and no charges have been filed. We look forward to his appointment as United States Secretary of Defense so that he can get to work on day one to make America safe and great again,” Cheung previously told HuffPost.

Hegseth has never held a senior military role and has made several controversial comments, including arguing that women should not serve in combat roles in the military and pushing for pardons of alleged war criminals. He also has a tattoo that is sometimes linked to extremism.