What's happened
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's nominee for defense secretary, is facing renewed scrutiny following a police report detailing sexual assault allegations from 2017. The report describes an encounter with a woman at a Republican event in Monterey, California, where she claims Hegseth assaulted her after blocking her exit. Hegseth denies wrongdoing.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, the police report details how Hegseth allegedly blocked the woman's exit and took her phone before the assault occurred. Hegseth's attorney stated that the encounter was consensual and that no charges were filed due to a lack of evidence. The Independent reported that Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a nondisclosure agreement, which he claims was to avoid a baseless lawsuit. Meanwhile, Axios highlighted that the Trump transition team is standing by Hegseth, asserting that the incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed. However, the report does not confirm that the allegations were found to be false, leaving room for further investigation.
How we got here
The allegations against Hegseth resurfaced after a police report was released, detailing an incident from October 2017. The woman involved reported the assault days later, claiming she may have been drugged. Hegseth has consistently maintained that the encounter was consensual.
Common question
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What are the latest allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed and Peter Hegseth?
Recent allegations against high-profile figures Mohamed Al Fayed and Peter Hegseth have sparked significant media attention and public interest. As more details emerge, many are left wondering about the implications of these claims, the responses from the accused, and the potential legal ramifications. Below, we address some of the most pressing questions surrounding these allegations.
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