Trump team reviews Defense Secretary nominee after resurfaced sexual assault allegation

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, faces scrutiny after a 2017 sexual assault allegation resurfaced. The transition team was unaware of the detailed complaint, which involved an incident at a hotel in Monterey, California. Monterey police confirmed they investigated the allegation but did not file charges. Hegseth's attorney stated the claim was fully investigated and found to be untrue. Trump’s team is now concerned about potential further negative revelations regarding Hegseth. Trump's communications director affirmed the president-elect's support for Hegseth, emphasizing his qualifications. Hegseth's nomination comes amid broader scrutiny of Trump's Cabinet picks, including attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz, who also faces sexual misconduct allegations.