{"id":2369425,"date":"2024-11-15T12:33:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T17:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pete-hegseth-sexual-assault-investigation-emerges-amid-questions-over-trump-teams-vetting-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-15T12:34:10","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T17:34:10","slug":"pete-hegseth-sexual-assault-investigation-emerges-amid-questions-over-trump-teams-vetting-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pete-hegseth-sexual-assault-investigation-emerges-amid-questions-over-trump-teams-vetting-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Pete Hegseth sexual assault investigation emerges amid questions over Trump team\u2019s vetting &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpete-hegseth-sexual-assault-investigation-emerges-amid-questions-over-trump-teams-vetting-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2369425&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the investigation involving Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump&#8217;s selection \u200bfor Secretary\u2062 of Defense, concerning a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-one-in-six-biden-voters-would-have-changed-their-vote-if-they-had-known-about-scandals-suppressed-by-media\/\" title=\"Poll: One In Six Biden Voters Would Have Changed Their Vote If They Had Known About Scandals Suppressed By Media\">sexual assault allegation<\/a> from \u20642017. The Monterey Police Department investigated the case, \u2062which \u200dwas reported \u2064four days after the incident occurred at a hotel, but\u2062 Hegseth was \u2063not charged and added that it was a consensual encounter. This situation\u200d raises concerns about the\u200d vetting\u2064 process used by Trump&#8217;s transition team, which \u200dopted to bypass the FBI&#8217;s thorough background checks in favor of private companies, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">potentially missing critical information<\/a> about candidates\u2019 pasts.\u2062 The article also highlights\u200d other controversial figures in Trump&#8217;s Cabinet selections,\u2064 indicating a pattern of unresolved allegations surrounding his nominees. the article underscores the implications of\u200d a less rigorous \u2064vetting process on the integrity of\u200b the \u2062incoming administration&#8217;s team.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pete Hegseth sexual assault investigation emerges amid questions over Trump team&rsquo;s vetting<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1880320\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pete Hegseth<\/a>, President-elect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a> pick to be the next<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3228033\/trump-pick-fox-news-pete-hegseth-secretary-defense\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> Secretary of Defense<\/a>, was investigated, but not charged, in a sexual assault case less than a decade ago, raising questions about the Trump transition team&rsquo;s vetting process.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The Monterey Police Department in California investigated &ldquo;an alleged sexual assault&rdquo; involving Hegseth that took place in the early hours of Oct. 8, 2017, at the address of a Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, which was reported four days later. The alleged victim&rsquo;s name and age were not shared publicly by the Monterey government spokesperson, who released a statement on Thursday, following the reporting of Hegseth&rsquo;s ties to the alleged incident.<\/p>\n<p>There were no weapons involved in the alleged assault, and the victim was left with contusions to their right thigh.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This allegation was already investigated by the Monterey Police Department, and they found no evidence for it,&rdquo; Hegseth&rsquo;s lawyer,&nbsp;Timothy Parlatore, denied the allegation to&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanityfair.com\/news\/story\/pete-hegseth-misconduct-allegation-meeting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Vanity Fair<\/a><\/em>. Hegseth, whom Trump tapped to lead the Pentagon earlier this week, met with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-cant-deny-responsibility-for-our-so-so-divided-nation\/\" title=\"Biden Can\u2019t Deny Responsibility For Our \u2018So, So Divided\u2019 Nation\">president-elect&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s chosen chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and Trump&rsquo;s lawyers on Thursday, according to the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>It would appear that the allegations were not known to the Trump transition team before Hegseth was announced as the pick to lead the Pentagon. Hegseth met with Trump&rsquo;s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and Trump&rsquo;s lawyers on Thursday, according to the outlet. Hegseth reportedly told Wiles that it was from a consensual encounter and reportedly said it was a case of &ldquo;he said-she said.&rdquo; The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Hegseth&rsquo;s lawyers, seeking comment on the report.<\/p>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s transition team <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3231288\/trump-transition-team-bypassing-fbi-background-checks-cabinet-picks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"has chosen to bypass the usual process\">has chosen to bypass the usual process<\/a> of using the FBI to conduct background checks on at least some of his Cabinet picks, instead opting to use private companies, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/15\/politics\/security-clearances-fbi-gabbard-gaetz\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">CNN<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Dan Meyer, a national security lawyer, who previously worked in the DoD&rsquo;s Inspector General&rsquo;s office, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the FBI vetting process is more thorough than a standard background check.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They are very thorough,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s much different than the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/elon-musk-gambled-on-donald-trump-now-hell-see-if-it-paid-off\/\" title=\"Elon Musk gambled on Donald Trump. Now he&#039;ll see if it paid off\">standard government background investigation<\/a> because the contractors do the standard, and it&rsquo;s not a special agent doing the standard background investigation. There&rsquo;s a whole army of retired FBI agents who do the White House screenings, and they&rsquo;re very good at what they do.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Some of Trump&rsquo;s other Cabinet picks have questionable incidents or moments in their past that may or may not be flagged by a corporate background check. Recently resigned Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/matt-gaetz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Matt Gaetz\">Matt Gaetz<\/a>, whom Trump said he&rsquo;ll nominate to be the next attorney general, has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor. His resignation stopped an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3230211\/matt-gaetz-ethics-report-threatens-derail-senate-confirmation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ethics investigation<\/a> into him from coming to light,<a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/woman-testified-house-ethics-committee-gaetz-sex-17\/story?id=115867555\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\" though details have already begun to leak out\"> though details have already begun to leak out<\/a> from that investigation, and more would likely come out as Gaetz goes through the confirmation process.<\/p>\n<p>He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Trump reportedly decided to appoint him as attorney general during a flight when Wiles was not present, according to <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/playbook\/2024\/11\/14\/gaetz-pick-sends-gop-into-panic-00189534\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Politico<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Trump also chose Tulsi Gabbard, the former Hawaii Democratic lawmaker turned Republican, to lead the intelligence community as the director of national intelligence. The position oversees all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.<\/p>\n<p>Gabbard was highly visible on the campaign trail for Trump, though her nomination as DNI has concerned some national security <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/national-security\/4991634-tulsi-gabbard-nominated-dni\/?email=be432469406cb43afeb732cf008348f842615dee&amp;emaila=78f2492ce8be34f41f4cc68469afd51f&amp;emailb=f001696fbdc80e45284e8b0e05bfe97ceb62e8676830928a4dc232199c7e8464&amp;utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=11.15.24%20RS%20-%20News%20Alert%20-%20Gabbard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">experts<\/a> due to comments in support of world leaders widely viewed as U.S. adversaries, like Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1880320\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1880320\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pete Hegseth&#8217;s past sexual assault investigation raises vetting concerns<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2671,"featured_media":2369426,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pete-Hegseth-v11.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3976,44930,34609,35574,32076],"class_list":["post-2369425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-investigation","tag-pete-hegseth","tag-sexual-assault","tag-trump-team","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pete-Hegseth-v11.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2671"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2369425"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369425\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2369429,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369425\/revisions\/2369429"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2369426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2369425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2369425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2369425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}