Trump's Defense Nominee Hegseth Faces Scrutiny Over Assault Allegation and Past Controversial Remarks

Pete Hegseth's confirmation process is expected to be contentious as senators weigh sexual assault allegations and his history of false claims about January 6 and other issues.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, faces allegations of sexual assault from 2017, which he denies, but has released the accuser from a confidentiality agreement to allow her to speak publicly.
Senate Republicans anticipate a bruising confirmation process reminiscent of Brett Kavanaugh's 2018 Supreme Court hearings, with some senators expressing concerns about the political fallout.
Hegseth has previously spread debunked conspiracy theories about the January 6 Capitol attack, claiming it was instigated by leftist groups disguised as Trump supporters, despite FBI findings to the contrary.
He has also faced criticism for controversial past statements opposing women in combat roles, supporting waterboarding, and linking LGBTQ+ inclusion in the military to a 'Marxist agenda,' though he has recently softened some of these positions.
The Armed Services Committee is deliberating whether to call Hegseth's accuser to testify, while Senate Democrats are reviewing a 2017 police report detailing her allegations.