Trump Defense Nominee Pete Hegseth Faces Scrutiny Over Misconduct Allegations

Sen. Lindsey Graham says Hegseth will release his sexual assault accuser from a non-disclosure agreement as questions about his past behavior intensify.

Pete Hegseth, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for Defense Secretary, is accused of sexual assault and other misconduct, including excessive drinking and financial mismanagement.
Sen. Lindsey Graham stated that Hegseth plans to release his accuser from a confidentiality agreement, allowing her to publicly share her allegations.
The 2017 sexual assault allegation involves claims that Hegseth prevented the woman from leaving a hotel room after an event; Hegseth denies the accusation, calling the encounter consensual.
Hegseth's past also includes reports of problematic behavior during his tenure at Fox News and a veterans' advocacy group, with allegations of intoxication on the job and inappropriate comments.
Despite the controversies, Graham and other GOP senators have expressed support for Hegseth, drawing comparisons to Brett Kavanaugh's contentious confirmation process.