 "Amid sexual assault allegations, will Trump's team replace Pete Hegseth?")
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial pick for secretary of defence, is at the center of a political firestorm as allegations from his past and questions about his qualifications threaten to derail his nomination.
While the United States president-elect has publicly stood by Hegseth, reports suggest his transition team is quietly compiling a list of alternative candidates.
Why is Pete Hegseth a polarising candidate?
Pete Hegseth, a decorated Army veteran, has built his public profile as a conservative commentator and Fox News personality. His military service includes deployments in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning him two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, praised Hegseth as “an incredibly tough and smart candidate that will fight to put America First.”
Hegseth’s political views, however, have drawn criticism. He has publicly opposed women serving in combat roles and labelled left-leaning Americans as “domestic enemies.” These stances have sparked debate over whether he is fit to lead the Department of Defence.
A Republican insider told Vanity Fair that several Defence Department veterans are unwilling to work under Hegseth, citing his lack of qualifications and divisive rhetoric. “There are Republicans with a background in the Defence Department who are privately saying, ‘I’m not working for this guy,’” the source said.
What are the allegations of sexual misconduct against Hegseth?
Hegseth’s nomination took a serious blow when allegations of sexual misconduct resurfaced from an incident in 2017. Police in Monterey, California, investigated claims that Hegseth assaulted a 30-year-old conservative staffer at a Republican women’s event held at the Hyatt Regency hotel. While no charges were filed, the details remain contentious.
According to The Washington Post, Hegseth entered into a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the accuser, paying a financial settlement to avoid litigation. His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, maintained that the encounter was consensual and that the NDA was signed during the height of the #MeToo movement to prevent potential damage to Hegseth’s career at Fox News.
“The Complainant had been the aggressor in the encounter,” Parlatore stated, adding that Hegseth felt he was the victim of blackmail. The NDA, according to the Post, followed renewed threats of litigation in 2020.
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Despite this, a memo sent to Trump’s transition team by a friend of the accuser described the incident as rape, alleging that Hegseth assaulted the woman in a hotel room.
Further complicating the matter, Vanity Fair reported that Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, confronted Hegseth about the allegations during a phone call. Sources within the transition team expressed frustration, with one insider saying, “People are upset about the distraction. The general feeling is Pete hasn’t been honest.”
Will Trump’s team drop Hegseth?
The revelations have reportedly prompted Trump’s transition team to prepare a list of alternative candidates for the secretary of defence role. “It’s becoming a real possibility,” a Republican close to the situation told Vanity Fair.
Donald Trump Jr, who is assisting with the transition, acknowledged the need for contingency plans. Speaking on Fox News, he stated, “We have lists of 10 to 12 people for every position. Some of them are going to be controversial because they’ll actually get things done.”
Despite these measures, Trump has not wavered in his public support for Hegseth. Steven Cheung reiterated, “Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defence so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.”
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Hegseth’s controversial views and past comments have further complicated his prospects. Reports from Mother Jones and Popular Information allege ties to the TheoBros, a Christian nationalist group led by Idaho pastor Doug Wilson, who has espoused controversial views, including opposition to women’s suffrage.
Additionally, Hegseth faced backlash for a college column in which he reportedly argued that having sex with an unconscious woman does not constitute rape.
A recurring trend in the Trump Cabinet 2.0?
The Hegseth controversy comes as the Trump administration faces similar challenges with other cabinet picks.
Matt Gaetz, Trump’s rumoured nominee for Attorney General, is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct, including claims of relations with a minor and paying for sex. Gaetz denies these allegations, but his potential nomination has already sparked significant opposition.
As Senate confirmation hearings approach , the question remains whether Trump will stick with Hegseth or pivot to an alternative candidate. The allegations and criticisms against him are likely to dominate the hearings, putting Republican senators in a difficult position.
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This story is still developing, and all eyes will remain on Trump’s decision in the coming weeks.
With inputs from agencies
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