Bear in mind when Donald Trump promised to fill his cupboard with the very “finest” individuals the nation has to supply?
What an enormous insult to the nation as a complete, seeing as how Trump has to date stuffed his incoming administration with closely investigated probably-criminals, sexual assaulters, and peculiar fringe media figures. If that is one of the best the nation has to supply we’re all doomed, since but extra troubling allegations drop about Trump’s tarnished cupboard every day.
The most recent of those relate to Pete Hegseth of Fox Information, who Trump tapped to take over as secretary of protection. He joins Trump himself and the already-ousted Matt Gaetz in going through damning experiences of sexual assault, which may see but one other horrible choice’s prospects finish earlier than they honestly started.
Hegseth was all the time seen as a starkly inappropriate alternative for secretary of protection, given his meager expertise and abundance of ineptitude, however the recent report may cease his nomination in its tracks. Every member of the Trump cupboard should face a affirmation listening to forward of their official approval, wherein they’ll be questioned about their histories, {qualifications}, and plans for the longer term. Ought to Hegseth face rampant questions on his earlier sexual misconduct in stated listening to — and notably if he’s unable to provide a satisfying reply — we may see one more preliminary Trump decide ousted earlier than he was ever in.
A widely-circulating police report exposes the 2017 case wherein a girl accused Hegseth of sexual assault. She alleges, in a 22-page report launched by Calfornia’s lawyer workplace of Monterey, that Hegseth “bodily blocked her from leaving a resort room, took her cellphone, after which sexually assaulted” her. The police report sports activities warring opinions on whether or not or not assault was at play, and on the extent of intoxication of each Hegseth and the sufferer, however a cumbersome variety of People discover the report, at base, to be disqualifying.
Hegseth alleges the encounter was consensual, however he additionally entered a settlement settlement with the sufferer years in the past, paying an undisclosed quantity to shut the case and keep confidentiality. The alleged assault passed off in early October of 2017, however the workplace of Monterey County DA Jeannine Pacioni in the end declined to file expenses in opposition to Hegseth. This was reportedly as a result of they couldn’t show claims from the sufferer — merely referred to as “Jane Doe” in authorized filings — “past an affordable doubt.”
Each Hegseth and Trump’s groups have pushed again on the police report, claiming that investigators “discovered the allegations to be false, which is why no expenses have been filed.” That’s not totally true — nowhere within the police submitting does it say something concerning the allegations being false. There was merely a settlement reached, which doesn’t equal out to a “not responsible” verdict.
Hegseth’s model of occasions differs massively from the recollections of Jane Doe, who admittedly notes that she remembers little of the night as soon as she was again in Hegseth’s room. She’s even theorized that one thing might have been slipped into her drink, however there’s no proof that occured.
The main points across the report are nonetheless fuzzy, notably given the warring testimonies and the dearth of video proof. Fairly a little bit of footage was included within the unique investigation, however none of it has been launched to the general public, which bars us from correctly understanding what additional proof might have contributed to the settlement.
No matter these additional particulars, nonetheless, the report casts a shadow over Hegseth’s nomination. As an alleged sexual assaulter, he really suits in splendidly with the Trump staff as a complete, however such damning accusations may urge morally sound members of Congress in opposition to permitting Hegseth to assert his potential place as secretary of protection.
