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    • Pete Hegseth involved in 2017 sexual assault investigation: Police
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    Pete Hegseth involved in 2017 sexual assault investigation: Police

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    President-elect Donald Trumphis pick for secretary of defense was involved in a 2017 sexual assault investigation, police confirmed.

    Pete Hegsethformer Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, was nominated Tuesday to lead the nation’s military. Late Thursday, city officials in Monterey, California, released a statement confirming its involvement in a the investigation into an alleged sexual assault, without revealing substantial details about the incident or who the charges were against.

    According to the police statement, the incident happened sometime overnight, between October 7-8, 2017. The address mentioned in the report is that of Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and the Spa at Del Monte Golf Course. The incident was reported to police four days later, the statement said.

    The victim’s information was also kept confidential, but the police report said the victim had “contusions on his right thigh.” No weapons were involved, the statement said.

    Fox News did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment. Attorney Timothy Parlatore, who identified himself as representing Hegseth, said the police department’s news release said “there was an allegation that was fully investigated and Mr. Hegseth was cleared of any wrongdoing.”

    In response to a USA TODAY investigation into the alleged 2017 incident, the Trump campaign on Friday defended the president-elect’s administration’s selection as “high caliber.”

    “Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied all allegations and no charges have been filed,” Trump transition spokesman Steven Cheung said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. “We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense.”

    What to know: Sex-trafficking allegations follow Matt Gaetz after attorney general selection

    Who is Pete Hegseth?

    Trump raised eyebrows when he named Hegseth as his choice for defense secretary, while violating the tradition of holding the post with Pentagon chiefs with long resumes in government.

    With Hegseth, 44, he worked Fox News since 2014 until he left following the news of his nomination. Hegseth joined the Army ROTC in college and was sent overseas with the Army National Guard after graduation, according to a 2022 article in Reserve + National Guard Magazine.

    Hegseth’s agenda for leading the Pentagon appears to bar women from serving in combat roles, fire generals who promote “woke” military policies, and loosen restrictions on the conduct of troops in war.

    The position of defense secretary requires Senate confirmation, although Trump has supported the idea of ​​using “break schedules” which would allow faster temporary approval.

    Contributors: Riley Beggin, Tom Vanden Brook, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Victor Hagan, Zac Anderson

    Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at [email protected] and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.

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