1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

The recently released police report detailing a woman's allegations of sexual assault against Pete Hegseth in 2017 raises serious concerns about his fitness to serve as Secretary of Defense. While Hegseth denies any wrongdoing and claims the encounter was consensual, the disturbing details in the report suggest a pattern of inappropriate and predatory behavior. These include allegedly taking the woman's phone, blocking her from leaving the hotel room, and proceeding despite her repeatedly saying "no." Furthermore, Hegseth's history of infidelity leading to the dissolution of two previous marriages calls into question his judgment and integrity. A position as critical as Secretary of Defense demands an individual of the highest moral character and unimpeachable ethics. The nature of the allegations against Hegseth, corroborated by the detailed police report, casts doubt on his ability to uphold the values expected of someone in such a consequential role. Given the gravity of the claims and their credible substantiation, I urge you to carefully scrutinize Hegseth's nomination. Appointing someone with this type of background to lead the Defense Department would send a deeply troubling message and erode public trust in our national security leadership. Please take appropriate steps to ensure only candidates who meet the highest standards of personal conduct are confirmed for this vital position.