Fox News contributor Leslie Marshall slammed Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, on Sunday after the details of a sexual assault allegation against him were made public.
But Marshall first took aim at former Fox News host Hegseth’s alleged history of infidelity, a crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“With all due respect to my former colleague, we know that there were three cases of adultery for Pete Hegseth, and it is relevant,” Marshall said on Fox News’ “MediaBuzz.” “And the reason why it’s relevant is, Article 134 of the UCMJ considers adultery against the military, which the Department of Defense is part of. You can’t lead an entire organization and all these people if you can’t lead by example, one.”
Marshall, who said she is a rape victim, then honed in on the sexual assault allegation that was recently made public.
“It’s very difficult for a woman to go in and have a rape kit done. It’s physically, mentally and emotionally very difficult to go through that process, as I have,” Marshall said. “Somebody doesn’t go into the hospital and subject herself to that. And I have to say, I, as a woman and as a victim, I believe the victims, and this is a problem for me. … And then on top of that, although Pete has an incredible military career, he doesn’t have the leadership career in the military that I feel the Department of Defense requires as their head.”
By contrast, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) dismissed the allegation as a potential distraction on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday.
“All these are … are allegations,” Hagerty said.
“Don’t let these allegations distract us. What we need is real, significant change. The Pentagon has been more focused on pronouns than they have lethality the past four years. We need to get back to business, and I think Pete is just the person to do it.”
Hagerty’s stance aligns with that of many Republicans, who have opted not to publicly speak out against Trump’s controversial Cabinet picks.
The alleged assault occurred in 2017 in Monterey, California. Hegseth has denied the allegation through his attorney.
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Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, indicated that the allegation would not impact Hegseth’s position.
“Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again,” Cheung previously told HuffPost.
Hegseth has never held a senior military role and has made multiple controversial comments — including arguing that women should not be allowed in combat roles in the military and pushing for alleged war criminals to be pardoned. He also has a tattoo sometimes linked to extremism.