Pete Hegseth Confirmed as New Defense Secretary amid Sexual Assault Allegation and Questions About His Past

Mar. 15, 2025

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense.Photo:Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty

Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has been confirmed as the next United States secretary of defense, receiving the keys to the nation’s largest federal agency.

After a tense Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 14, a number of Republicans who previously expressed doubts about Hegseth’s nomination declared that they would fall in line behind PresidentDonald Trump’s preferred candidate.

Vice President J.D. Vance needed to place a tie-breaking vote after Republican Senators Mitch McConnell,Lisa MurkowskiandSusan Collinsjoined all Democrats in voting against Hegseth’s nomination, per theAssociated Press.

Hegseth was considered one of Trump’s riskiest nominations, making his confirmation a major feat for the administration. Three other controversial nominees will be put to the test next:Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services;Tulsi Gabbard, nominated for director of national intelligence; andKash Patel, nominated for FBI director.

Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth at his Jan. 14 confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill.Andrew Harnik/Getty

Andrew Harnik/Getty

“He and I had a candid conversation in December about his past statements and apparently evolving views,” Collins wrote onX. “I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed.”

From Murkowski’sXstatement: “Above all, I believe that character is the defining trait required of the Secretary of Defense, and must be prioritized without compromise. The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook.”

Pete Hegseth testifies during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Jan. 14, 2025.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

According to apolice report, his accuser alleged that the former Fox News host had sexually assaulted her at the 2017 California Federation of Republican Women biennial conference — where Hegseth was the keynote speaker and the woman was an organizer.

Hegseth was never charged in connection to the incident. However, heentered into a settlement agreementwith the woman, which included monetary compensation and a confidentiality clause, perCNN.

On Jan. 23,The Associated Pressreported that the settlement payment amounted to $50,000.

When the police report resurfaced, Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, toldCNN: “This police report confirms what I’ve said all along, that the incident was fully investigated, and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed."

Trump’s transition team expressed similar sentiments one day later, claiming police found the allegations to be false — though authorities only concluded that they did not have enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Hegseth denied the allegations and said they were “anonymous, false charges.”

Pete Hegseth meets with Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Dec. 2 about his nomination for defense secretary.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty

The scandal involving Hegseth grew whenThe New York Timesobtained a 2018 email from Penelope Hegseth, the Fox News host’s mother. In the correspondence, she called him “despicable” and"an abuser of women,“though she told the outlet she rescinded her thoughts to her son one day later.

The New Yorkerthen reported on Dec. 1 that Hegseth was allegedly ousted from previous nonprofit leadership positions due to mismanagement of funds, repeated drunkenness and misconduct with women.

Hegseth downplayed the claims as part of a coordinated smear campaign during his confirmation hearing and vowed that he would not drink if he was confirmed.

Many Republicans withheld their support for Hegseth amid the controversies, though Trump maintained outward confidence that his nominee still had a path to getting confirmed.

Pete Hegseth on ‘Fox & Friends’ on Aug. 9, 2019.John Lamparski/Getty

John Lamparski/Getty

On Jan. 21, before the Senate took Hegseth’s confirmation to a vote, his former sister-in-law came forward with new allegations against him, claiming in an affidavit submitted to the Senate that his second wife, Samantha, feared for her safety and made escape plans, allegedly going so far as to develop a code word that she could use to get help.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, toldNBC Newsin a statement, “As I have said for months, the reports of Mr. Hegseth’s history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct necessitate an exhaustive background investigation. I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this sworn affidavit confirms that fact.”

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In an email to NBC News, Samantha asserted that there was no physical abuse in her marriage.

Hegseth’s lawyer also responded to the latest allegations: “Sam has never alleged that there was any abuse, she signed court documents acknowledging that there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed the same during her FBI interview.”

source: people.com