Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee for cover secretary, admitted to paying $50,000 as a part of a prison agreement with a girl who accused him of raping her in 2017, in line with Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
Ms. Warren, a Democrat at the Senate Armed Products and services Committee, posted a document at the social media platform X on Thursday, which her spokeswoman stated Friday was once integrated in Mr. Hegseth’s solutions to the senator’s written questions. The agreement’s life were documented ahead of his affirmation listening to this month, however the quantity had now not been recognized publicly. The Associated Press reported previous at the disclosure.
“Mr. Hegseth, how a lot did you pay ‘Jane Doe’ as a part of any non-disclosure settlement or different settlement associated with this incident?” the file says. The solution: “$50,000.”
Ms. Warren wrote within the put up: “We will be able to’t rush his vote and believe him with our nationwide safety.”
Mr. Hegseth has stated that the rape accusation was once false and that he agreed to pay the lady to offer protection to his task as a Fox Information anchor, his circle of relatives and his marriage to his 3rd spouse. The police investigated the allegation and referred the case to county prosecutors, who declined to document fees.
The Senate is anticipated to vote on Mr. Hegseth’s nomination on Friday night time. On Thursday, the senators voted 51-49 to advance his nomination to a last vote. The vote was once in large part alongside birthday party strains, however two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined with Democrats in vote casting in opposition to the development.
But even so the rape allegation, Mr. Hegseth has been accused of years of alcohol abuse, which he has additionally denied. A former sister-in-law has additionally accused him of “abusive” behavior towards his 2nd spouse, who has denied any bodily abuse.
Republican senators have said that Mr. Hegseth is an unconventional select to steer the Protection Division however say that he’s certified for the put up.