Pete Hegseth Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over 2017 Sexual Assault Allegation

Details from a police report and settlement resurface as Hegseth's nomination for defense secretary raises questions about his past.

A 2017 sexual assault allegation against Pete Hegseth has resurfaced following his nomination for defense secretary by President-elect Donald Trump.
The alleged incident occurred during a Republican women's conference in Monterey, California, with the accuser claiming she had limited memory of the encounter and may have been drugged.
Hegseth has denied the allegations, asserting the encounter was consensual, and reached a private settlement with the accuser in 2020, which included a non-disclosure agreement.
A newly released police report includes conflicting witness accounts, with some stating the accuser appeared coherent and not intoxicated, while others noted Hegseth's visible intoxication that night.
The incident has sparked debate in Washington and among Republican circles, with critics questioning the decision not to pursue charges and the potential impact on Hegseth's confirmation process.