In a stunning development surrounding Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Defense Secretary, his attorney has turned the tables on a seven-year-old sexual assault allegation, claiming the accuser was actually “the aggressor” in the 2017 incident.
Tim Parlatore, Hegseth’s legal counsel, revealed in an explosive interview that surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts paint a dramatically different picture from what was initially reported.
Breitbart News highlighted that the incident, which occurred during a California Federation of Republican Women conference in Monterey, has resurfaced as Hegseth faces confirmation for one of the nation’s top defense positions.
“He is completely and totally innocent. It was completely investigated. She was the aggressor,” Parlatore declared, detailing how the encounter unfolded at a hotel following a speaking engagement.
Parlatore explained that Hegseth, who had consumed “too many drinks,” was allegedly led to his room by a sober woman who later became his accuser.
The attorney’s revelation suggests law enforcement’s initial investigation raised serious questions about the accuser’s role.
“The police honestly, when they looked at it, even though she was the one that reported it, when they looked at the video, they considered charging her,” Parlatore stated.
The case took another turn when, following the accuser’s termination from her organization, she allegedly began floating the possibility of legal action against Hegseth.
This prompted other women to alert the Fox News host about the situation, leading to Parlatore’s involvement and a subsequent cease-and-desist letter in 2020.
Breitbart added that the matter ultimately resulted in a confidential settlement agreement, which Parlatore claims was recently breached when the allegations became public.
This breach could potentially nullify the settlement and expose the accuser to legal consequences, including defamation charges and potential extortion claims under California law.
The Trump administration has firmly backed Hegseth’s nomination.
Breitbart reported that Steven Cheung, the incoming White House Director of Communications, emphasized the administration’s support: “President Trump is nominating high-caliber and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his Administration.”
“Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed.”
Parlatore suggests the timing of the leak might be politically motivated, potentially originating from within the Trump transition team itself to derail Hegseth’s nomination.
TTOA previously reported that Trump’s nomination of Hegseth signals a dramatic shift in Pentagon leadership and military strategy.
Hegseth, 44, brings a combat-tested background to the role, having earned two Bronze Stars during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First,” Trump declared in his announcement.
“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down.”
Trump’s nomination surprised many Washington insiders, particularly former Democrat Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who had expressed interest in the position.
The New York Post previously reported that Gabbard was “going to privately petition Trump early this week” about the role.
Hegseth’s nomination comes amid multiple global crises, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, Iranian proxy attacks in the Middle East, and escalating tensions involving Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah.
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