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Former FOX News host Pete Hegseth, who President-elect Donald Trump announced to be his secretary of defense for his upcoming administration, was investigated for "an alleged sexual assault" in 2017, police confirmed to NBC News on Friday (November 15).
The alleged sexual assault took place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course between midnight October 7 and 7:00 a.m. on October 8, when the National Federation of Republican Women was holding a convention at the hotel. Hegseth was not charged with a crime and no information about the alleged victim was released in a report on the incident on October 12, 2017.
Trump announced Hegseth, 44, to be his secretary of defense on Tuesday (November 12). Hegseth, who has contributed to FOX News since 2014, most recently working as the co-host of FOX & Friends Weekend, joined the Army National Guard in 2003, which included serving in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, receiving two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.
“Pete Hegseth has been an exceptional host on FOX & Friends and FOX Nation and a best-selling author for FOX News Books for nearly a decade,” a FOX News spokesperson said in a statement obtained by the New York Post. “His insights and analysis especially about the military resonated deeply with our viewers and made the program the major success that it is today. We are extremely proud of his work at FOX News and wish him the best of luck in Washington.”
Hegseth was reportedly considered for the position of Veterans Affairs secretary, which was ultimately given to David Shulkin, during Trump's first administration. Several other reported contenders for the secretary of defense role included Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.