Trump defense pick Hegseth accused of sexual assault in 2017

No charges have been filed in the case, but shell-shocked Trump transition team officials are nonetheless considering next steps for the Fox News host, whose appointment surprised many in Washington.

President-elect Trump nominated the 44-year-old National Guard veteran Tuesday to lead the world’s most powerful military, despite never having led a major organization.

Police in Monterey, California confirmed Thursday that they had investigated “an alleged sexual assault” at a hotel involving Hegseth in early October 2017, which left bruises on the victim’s right thigh.

News of the woman’s accusations caught the Trump team off guard, according to Vanity Fair, which first reported the story.

Hegseth’s attorney Timothy Parlatore told the publication that the allegation “had already been investigated by the Monterey Police Department and they found no evidence to support it.”

And Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said 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 he can get to work on day one to make America safe and great again,” Cheung said.

Hegseth’s hearing in the Senate will likely be one of the most charged, not only because of his lack of experience but also because of other controversies, such as his lobbying of Trump during his first term to pardon service members accused of war crimes.

Hegseth joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 and now co-hosts “Fox and Friends Weekend” and serves as host of “Fox Nation.”

He also served as an infantry officer in the National Guard and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The allegations against Hegseth come after Trump’s pick for attorney general, far-right former Congressman Matt Gaetz, stunned many following his lengthy embroilment in sexual misconduct allegations.

And Trump himself was convicted of financial misconduct for covering up payments to a former porn star and found liable for defaming and sexually assaulting an author.

Hegseth has been married three times and divorced his first wife in 2009 after an “irrecoverable breakdown” and “infidelity,” according to the Washington Post.

His second wife filed for divorce in September 2017, a month after he had a baby with a Fox News producer whom he subsequently married, according to US media.

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