A newly released police report has revealed disturbing new details about a sexual assault accusation against Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary.
The 22-page document, made public by the Monterey City Attorney’s office, outlines the claims made by a woman, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges that Hegseth physically prevented her from leaving his hotel room and took her phone before assaulting her. The incident occurred after a Republican women’s conference at the Hyatt Hotel in Monterey, California, on October 8, 2017.
According to the report, Doe told investigators that she repeatedly said “no” during the alleged assault, describing Hegseth as being “very intoxicated” and giving off a “creeper” vibe. She also recalled observing Hegseth behaving inappropriately with other women at the event earlier that evening, allegedly stroking their thighs.
The woman’s account further details how, after the conference, she attended an afterparty where she confronted Hegseth about his behavior. Following the confrontation, the two went to the hotel bar, where Doe reported that her memories of the night became hazy. She recalled later being in a hotel room with Hegseth, where she tried to leave but was blocked by him. The report states that Hegseth then sexually assaulted her, and Doe remembers being on a bed with him, where he ejaculated on her stomach before throwing a towel at her and asking, “Are you okay?”
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In his statement to authorities, Hegseth denied the allegations, insisting that the encounter was consensual. He stated that he and Doe had “always” engaged in consensual communication, and he was surprised when she led him back to his room, as he had no intention of sexual contact. Hegseth also claimed to have checked on her well-being multiple times during the evening.
The police report does not confirm whether the allegations were found to be false. While no charges have been filed, the case has been forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s office for review.
The report also includes information about how the case came to light: a nurse contacted authorities after Doe sought a sexual assault exam, claiming she had been assaulted but had little memory of the events. Doe suggested that something may have been slipped into her drink that night before she ended up in Hegseth’s room.
Hegseth’s legal team has maintained that the allegations are without merit, and a spokeswoman for Trump’s transition team has stated that the report “corroborates” the claims made by Hegseth’s attorneys, emphasizing that the matter was fully investigated and no charges were filed.
In 2023, Hegseth reportedly made a confidential payment to Doe as part of a settlement, following concerns that she might file a lawsuit. His attorney did not disclose the amount of the payment but suggested it was made to avoid potential professional consequences for Hegseth, particularly his position at Fox News.
The new revelations could complicate Hegseth’s confirmation process as Defense Secretary, with sources close to the Trump administration reportedly considering alternative candidates in light of the allegations.
