A recently released police report from 2017 is raising serious doubts about the credibility of a sexual assault allegation against Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary. The report, obtained through a freedom of information request, provides surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and other evidence that appears to contradict the accuser’s claims.
The accuser, whose name remains redacted, alleged that Hegseth raped her during a Republican women’s conference at a hotel in Monterey, California. According to her account, the incident occurred after a night of socializing at the hotel bar and an after-party. She claimed to have no clear memory of the evening, suggesting something may have been slipped into her drink.
However, the police report paints a very different picture. Surveillance footage and witness statements suggest the interaction between Hegseth and the accuser may have been consensual.
The report highlights several critical pieces of evidence that undermine the accuser’s narrative:
- Surveillance Footage: Hotel cameras captured the accuser and Hegseth walking arm-in-arm, smiling, and engaging in physical contact as they left the bar around 1:15 a.m. They were later seen heading toward the pool area.
- Witness Testimonies: Eyewitnesses described the accuser as flirting with Hegseth earlier in the evening. A hotel worker also observed her leading Hegseth toward his room while he appeared intoxicated and she seemed sober.
- Behavior After the Incident: The accuser reportedly returned to her hotel room and told her husband she “must have fallen asleep somewhere,” a statement that aligned with Hegseth’s account to police.
The accuser initially claimed she couldn’t recall how she ended up in Hegseth’s room but remembered specific details of the alleged assault, including saying “no” repeatedly. Despite this, no physical evidence of rape was found, according to the police report.
Text messages the accuser sent to her husband earlier in the evening further complicate her story. In these messages, she described the female conference attendees as “freaking drooling over” Hegseth and commented that “He talks pretty tho.” Her communication with her husband ceased as the evening progressed.
Hegseth firmly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the encounter was consensual. He told police that while both he and the accuser hesitated at moments, they ultimately decided to proceed. He also stated that the accuser asked if he had a condom, reinforcing the consensual nature of their interaction.
Hegseth’s lawyer, Tim Parlatore, went further, suggesting that the accuser was the aggressor in the situation. “She took advantage of him,” Parlatore stated. “She was sober, and he was drunk. She led him to his room, and the police even considered charging her after reviewing the video and evidence.”
The release of the police report has sparked strong reactions, with many conservatives rallying behind Hegseth and critics questioning the timing and nature of the allegations.
Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News anchor and attorney, offered a scathing critique of the accuser’s story. “This smells like utter bullshit,” Kelly remarked on her podcast. She noted that the evidence appeared more consistent with a consensual encounter than with an assault.
“This allegation should not tank his nomination,” Kelly added, though she acknowledged the ordeal was “gross” and unfortunate for all parties involved.
The resurfacing of this allegation comes as Hegseth prepares for a contentious confirmation process to become Trump’s defense secretary. While his supporters argue that the police report vindicates him, critics have raised concerns about his judgment and behavior.
For Trump’s administration, the case underscores the heightened scrutiny faced by nominees, especially those with ties to controversial figures or events. The president-elect, however, has stood by Hegseth, emphasizing his military service and leadership qualities.
The police report has shifted public perception of the case, casting serious doubt on the sexual assault claim. As Hegseth moves toward Senate confirmation, the allegation and its surrounding circumstances will likely remain a focal point of debate.
Ultimately, the release of this report serves as a reminder of the complexity and sensitivity of such cases. While Hegseth’s supporters believe the evidence exonerates him, his critics may continue to question the circumstances of the encounter.
In a statement, Hegseth acknowledged the ordeal but expressed confidence in the truth prevailing. “The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared,” he said. “That’s where I’m going to leave it.”
As the confirmation battle unfolds, the case against Hegseth may serve as both a cautionary tale and a test of how allegations are weighed in today’s polarized political climate.
A lot of these girls need a bucket of cement for their feet!!
and a body of water close by….. or a cliff. train track?
Seems to reek of the Brett Kavangh farce the Demonrats tried to orchestrate!!!
Every time a conservative is up for ANY position, the democrats drag some ho out of no where with the same dang story. Once the confirmation is over, they disappear. Time to make an example of this one. She needs to spend about ten years in prison thinking about HER actions.
so What? Looking for something new and who knows how many times ;she lies to her husband and now is full of guilt and full of LIEs
no content, no character, no morals and for sure, no shame
As the democrats and the media used to bleat continuously about bill clinton’s accusations of rape and extramarital sex: ” It’s only about sex” (what’s the big deal?).
Those Communist Democrats aren’t Angeles in any way shape or form, they’ve done exactly what they accuse every Republican of doing, whether it’s rape, murder, bribery, coercion, theft and violations of the Constitution and Oath of Office.!
They are the guilty ones of crimes against humanity all too often and now their sweating knowing the days are nearing, I’m not ever saying Republicans are guilty of criminal behavior and when something is found out with evidence the Republicans get rid of the one in their own party.
Unlike the Communist Democrats, when evidence is presented they go all in to protect and cover up and pay off judges and AG’s to report the crime false allegations and propaganda.
It’s worked for them for years and frankly most true, red, white and blue Americans are getting fed up with their bullshit since it’s always the same thing.
If the Police report shows the allegations contradicting then he’s not guilty, let him do his job and get the Hell out of the way.!
Communist destructive Democrat Bastards.!
What an insane woman.
doesn’t matter, they just love to lie. All of Satan’s children do. There is going to be a new Sheriff in town soon. LOCK EM UP
When have you ever seen a Democrat tell the truth They dont. They made a living at it the last few years.
Regardless of what this man did or did not do, the Senate led by Republicans intend to fight President Trump on all of his cabinet picks. I have never witnessed such hatred for one man in all of my 83 years. Republicans are no different than the Communist (formerly Democrats). They all know their @@@ is in a sling come January. The greed and power is all they care about plus living off the taxpayer for 30 or 40 years in Congressional seats. You can blame voters for helping this people stay in Congress for decades. If I am still living when Rand Paul comes up for re-election I will never cast another vote for him. He has served long enough. Mitch McConnell is worthless as tits on a boar hog, the treasonous old @@@@@@@.