WSJ Editorial Board Hammers Pete Hegseth Over Sexual Assault Allegation Payoff, Suggests Trump Withdraw Nomination

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The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal lit into President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary this week, concluding that “nominations impulsively made can also be withdrawn.” The editorial made the case that former Fox News host Pete Hegseth likely did not alert Trump’s team that he had paid off a woman who accused him of sexual assault in recent years.

“Press reports say the accusation took Mr. Trump’s transition team by “surprise,” which might be a lesson about picking unvetted cabinet secretaries on a whim,” wrote the editorial board at the Rupert Murdoch-owned publication. Trump’s transition team has reportedly refused to use FBI background checks before making nominations, which has long been the standard procedure.

The editorial argues that whatever the reality behind the sexual assault allegation aimed at Hegseth, the fact he may have misled Trump should be disqualifying for the person leading the armed forces.
“Mr. Hegseth denies wrongdoing. But the Senators holding confirmation hearings next year also might inquire about what, if anything, he told Mr. Trump’s transition team regarding the woman’s claim and the legal settlement,” wrote the editorial, adding:

Whoever leads the Pentagon needs to have the President’s trust. If Mr. Trump wasn’t informed about this political liability before announcing the nomination, he might reasonably wonder what else Mr. Hegseth hasn’t told him.

The editorial then goes into the details of the accusation against Hegseth and his legal team’s defense – claiming that the woman was part of a # MeToo-inspired blackmail and extortion scheme.

“What happened in Monterey seven years ago might be impossible to prove or disprove, but even granting Mr. Hegseth the benefit of the doubt, it raises questions about judgment, including whether he warned the President-elect that this might come out,” argued the editorial, concluding:

“Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed,” Mr. Trump’s spokesman said. “We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense.”

Maybe so, but the Senate will have further questions, and nominations impulsively made can also be withdrawn.

Read the full editorial here.