TRUMP STANDS BY VET PETE HEGSETH AS SECRETARY PICK DESPITE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS


By bblouin
Pete Hegseth

Now that Donald Trump is set to be the 47th President of the United States, he’s wasting no time picking the advisors and aides around him. Many will affect the military community and how our nation defends itself from foreign and domestic adversaries—but arguably none more than the Secretary of Defense. For this position, decorated Army Veteran and popular Fox News figure Pete Hegseth is taking the role. However, despite his vast military experience and seemingly aligning political stances, the pick is coming in as a surprise. Making matters worse, shortly after choosing Hegseth, reports of previous sexual assault allegations have blindsided the Trump campaign.

Who Is Pete Hegseth, Our New Secretary of Defense?

Known for hosting Fox & Friends Weekend and Fox Nation President-elect Donald Trump has picked Army Veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as our nation’s Secretary of Defense.

The decorated military Officer has served in the National Guard and is known for his tenacity.

For years, both Hegseth and Trump have forged a relationship as the Fox personality has been an informal advisor to the former President.

Still, many experts in the media, The Pentagon, and, well, in general, are surprised at the pick.

However, in Trump’s first presidential term, things didn’t go as well as they could have, with his relationships deteriorating multiple times with past picks for the role.

As Hegseth comes in with a similar mindset, views, and the necessary military experience to do the job, Trump’s pick is likely due to these factors, hoping to foster a better relationship built on loyalty.

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Fox News and Conservative Views

Since Pete Hegseth has graduated from Princeton and Harvard, he has gone on to have an accomplished military career and ultimately forging a way to some of the biggest shows on Fox News.

This would actually spark his relationship with Trump and solidify Hegseth as a military expert, where he could provide first-hand insight on related topics.

Hegseth is also a published author with multiple books and has worked within multiple organizations that have helped Veterans as well as conservative politics.

This includes Vets for Freedom, his own controversial MN PAC, and Concerned Veterans for America, an advocacy group connected to the Koch brothers working to privatize the VA.

War Crimes and Impulses

In 2019, there were reports from news outlets, including CNN, claiming that Pete Hegseth privately spoke with Trump to pardon troops who were accused of various war crimes.

While many were against the move, Trump decided to do so, earning backlash from the military as well as on the international stage.

This all comes into greater perspective as Hegseth is about to have even more influence on policies and decisions Trump will make for our nation involving the U.S. military.

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2017 Sexual Assault Allegations

Although he was cleared of the incident, a disturbing twist in the pick of Pete Hegseth would come on November 14, 2024, when a press release from the Monterey Police Department (MPD) confirmed that he was investigated for sexual assault.

These allegations and the California police department investigation that would come of them would find Hegseth “cleared” of any wrongdoing. However, the incident was still a bit of a shock to the Trump campaign and the public.

Hegseth’s lawyer, Tim Parlatore, spoke on the matter saying, “There was this accusation, he was cleared. There’s nothing more to it. Years ago, he didn’t do anything wrong. It shouldn’t have any bearing on his nomination or his future work in The Pentagon.”

The incident in question are allegations that stem from the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course, in Monterey, California, in the early hours of October 8, 2017.

During this time, the hotel was hosting the National Federation of Republican Women for its 40th Biennial Convention, and on October 12, 2017, the police received a confidential incident report.

No probable cause was ever found, though the full police report, is exempt from public disclosure.

There are laws in California involving specific, non-private information but you can find that information in the MPD release readily available.

Since the allegations surfaced in 2024, insiders connected to the Trump campaign have been shocked by the news and wondering how it could affect the way people view the President-elect’s cabinet—it’s worth noting that Hegseth wasn’t vetted by the campaign by an outside firm before being picked for the position.

Despite his denial, and the fact that the allegations were never found to be true, Pete Hegseth’s role is something to continue to watch as public perception continues to form.

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Pete Hegseth Military Rank, Career, and Potential Impact

Throughout his ongoing military career, Pete Hegseth has made quite a name for himself. Here are some of the notable accomplishments from his time in the service:

  • Pete Hegseth has served since 2003 and has the rank of Major in the Minnesota Army National Guard.
  • Hegseth has served in Guantánamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning eight awards in the process.

Because of his military experience and how they have shaped his politics, it’s no wonder that he and Trump get along, but it’s still a shock that he’s becoming the Secretary of Defense.

There are big shoes to fill as he takes over for highly esteemed Gen. Lloyd Austin during a time in which many different parts of the world face difficult military challenges.

Having his level of military experience is beneficial for advising on such subjects and helping shape policies that will affect warfighters and their families.

With that being said, the level of conservatism Hegseth brings to the table could affect marginalized groups within the American Armed Forces as they work to defend our nation.

Having everyone on the same page is important for any organization but if it can come at the expense of those you are set to lead, it can also be counterproductive.

Looking at the multiple overturns the Secretary of Defense faced during Trump’s last administration, the hire makes sense.

There are several conflicts involving Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that are in need of review, which are all tasks Trump plans to prioritize and will need military expertise around him to make sound decisions.

Considering Trump’s strong stance on installing more and more loyal members throughout his administration in the Defense Department and beyond, for notable overhauls, his Pete Hegseth decision becomes clearer.

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