Trump’s transition team caught off guard by Hegseth allegation

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team was thrown into turmoil this week after a sexual assault allegation was brought to light involving one of his Cabinet picks, Pete Hegseth. The news came just as Trump was finalizing his selections, including Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, leading several members of the transition team to question the viability of his nomination.

Hegseth, a former Army veteran and Fox News host, was named by Trump to head the Pentagon after only a brief consideration period. However, within 48 hours of this announcement, Trump’s team was informed of a sexual assault allegation that could potentially derail Hegseth’s nomination. The claim stems from a 2017 investigation by the Monterey, California, police, which involved an alleged sexual assault on October 8, 2017, during a conference hosted by the California Federation of Republican Women. Hegseth had been a speaker at the event, which took place at a hotel in Monterey on the same date as the alleged incident.

Though Hegseth has not been criminally charged or named in any civil lawsuits related to the incident, the allegations raised serious concerns among Trump’s inner circle. His attorney has denied the claims, stating that Hegseth was never involved in any criminal activity. Despite the lack of charges, the timing of the allegations caused a ripple effect within the transition team.

On Thursday, incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles reportedly questioned Hegseth about the allegations in a call, seeking clarification on whether there were any other issues that might affect his nomination. According to sources familiar with the situation, Hegseth had not undergone a full vetting process through an outside firm before being announced. The lack of thorough vetting raised eyebrows, particularly among those who had worked with Trump during his first term and were familiar with Hegseth’s previous brief consideration for a position at the Department of Veterans Affairs. That earlier vetting process had reportedly been abandoned for similar reasons, though specifics were not provided.

Despite the revelation, sources close to the transition team indicated that, as of Friday, Trump and his team were still moving forward with Hegseth’s nomination. However, the situation has created uncertainty within the Trump camp, and there was open speculation that Hegseth could ultimately withdraw his nomination in light of the growing controversy. Some individuals within Trump’s orbit voiced concerns that more damaging information could be revealed in the coming days, further complicating the confirmation process.

The nomination of Hegseth as Secretary of Defense had already raised eyebrows due to his lack of senior military experience or previous roles in public office. His selection to lead the Department of Defense, one of the largest federal agencies with a budget exceeding $800 billion and millions of service members and civilians under its purview, surprised both Pentagon officials and some of Trump’s own allies.

However, Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, defended Hegseth in a statement to CNN, emphasizing that the nominee had “vigorously denied any and all accusations” and noted that no charges had been filed against him. Cheung expressed confidence that Hegseth would be confirmed as Secretary of Defense, stating, “We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.”

Despite this defense, the situation surrounding Hegseth’s nomination has highlighted the challenges Trump faces as he prepares to take office. While the president-elect retains the final authority to nominate Cabinet members, the sexual assault allegations have brought increased scrutiny to his choices and the process through which they are vetted. The controversy has also underscored concerns about the transition team’s preparedness for handling potential obstacles that could arise during the confirmation process.

As Trump moves forward with his transition plans, the questions surrounding Hegseth’s suitability for the role of Secretary of Defense may continue to hang over the process, potentially influencing the president-elect’s other Cabinet selections. The next few days could prove crucial in determining whether Hegseth remains a part of Trump’s administration or if the growing controversy forces his withdrawal from consideration.