Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host chosen by Donald Trump to be his next defense secretary, was accused of sexual assault in 2017, it emerged yesterday, as extremism experts expressed alarm about his involvement in rightwing Christian nationalism.
Hegseth, who has served in the US army but has no experience in government, drew shock from Pentagon officials when Trump nominated him. Hegseth's attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told the Associated Press the sexual assault allegations were "completely false".
"This was investigated by the police at the time and they found no evidence," Parlatore said. No charges were filed in the case. Monterey City officials said in a statement that Monterey Police were contacted in October 2017 to investigate a sexual assault that allegedly took place in the city and involved Hegseth.
Hegseth's books on American culture and the military, his commentary on Fox and his frequent posts on social media showcase his far-right ideology. On these platforms, Hegseth telegraphs paranoia and anger toward "leftists", an ultra-masculine Maga persona and apparent revulsion towards service members who do not fit his vision - including women.
This story is from the November 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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