It’s nothing short of outrageous that Pete Hegseth, nominated to be the next Secretary of Defense, is facing fresh attacks over a sexual misconduct allegation from 2017 that has already been investigated and dismissed. Despite the Monterey Police Department finding no evidence to support the claim, the media continues to amplify the accusation, turning a non-issue into a weapon against Hegseth’s nomination.
The Vanity Fair article that surfaced last Thursday was based on anonymous sources within the Trump transition team, alleging that Trump’s incoming Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, was briefed on the incident. The report claimed that Hegseth had been involved in misconduct, but he has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that the encounter was consensual. His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, pointed out that the matter was investigated by law enforcement and found to be without merit.
STOP THE BACKSTABBING 🐍 The letter sent to try to get Hegseth out was leaked by someone trying to destroy Trump's cabinet picks. "It doesn't matter that the letter was sent, it matters that it was sent to the transition team and not the media." @JFRadioShow pic.twitter.com/89TxirVLq3
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) November 18, 2024
So why is the media still pursuing this dead-end story? It seems clear that someone within the Trump transition team has an agenda to derail Hegseth’s nomination. By leaking this already-dismissed allegation to the press, they are attempting to undermine Hegseth’s credibility and prevent him from taking office. This type of political sabotage is not only unfair to Hegseth, but it also undermines the public’s trust in the transition process.
Further complicating matters, The Washington Post published a follow-up report, claiming that Hegseth allegedly paid the accuser in 2023, while still maintaining his innocence. The continuation of these leaks only makes it more apparent that someone within the transition team is working to damage Hegseth’s reputation, despite the fact that the accusation has already been thoroughly investigated and dismissed.
What a shock 🫤
…Dems leak ANOTHER "sexual something or other" story to try to discredit a great Republican appointee.
I'm so over this – I still like Hegseth…this changes nothing.
— PlainJane 🇺🇸 (@PlainJa65866722) November 17, 2024
The ongoing leaks are damaging, not only to Hegseth’s reputation but also to the integrity of the Trump administration’s ability to fill key positions. Instead of focusing on a baseless claim that has no evidence, the focus should be on the qualifications and experience Hegseth brings to the role of Defense Secretary. His track record as a military advocate and his leadership capabilities should be the focal point of the discussion.
It’s time to put an end to these leaks and attacks on Hegseth. The transition team must identify and remove the individual responsible for these smears, ensuring that future nominees are not subjected to the same unfair treatment. Hegseth has earned his nomination, and it is time for the focus to return to his qualifications rather than unfounded and unproven allegations.
