Lindsey Graham reveals Hegseth will release sexual misconduct accuser from non-disclosure agreement
The senator from South Carolina mentioned that Hegseth communicated his intention to do so.
TroibNews 
GOP Senator Lindsey Graham stated on Sunday that Pete Hegseth, the president-elect's nominee for Secretary of Defense, informed him of his intention to release the individual who accused him of sexual misconduct from her non-disclosure agreement.
“He told me he would release her from that agreement,” Graham told NBC's "Meet the Press," hosted by Kristen Welker. “Just think about what we're talking about — I'd want to know if anybody nominated for a high-level job in Washington legitimately assaulted somebody.”
Hegseth has encountered challenges during the confirmation process due to various allegations, including claims of sexual assault from 2017. He maintains that he was “completely cleared” of these accusations.
According to a statement from Hegseth’s attorney, which was obtained by the Washington Post, Hegseth compensated a woman who accused him of sexual assault in connection with a nondisclosure agreement, while still denying the allegations. Allowing her to be released from this agreement would permit her to speak out publicly.
Graham drew parallels to Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2018, saying, “Five people accused Justice Kavanaugh of misconduct. Three were outright lies, the other two, I think, were not credible,” referring to Christine Blasey Ford and other accusers. “So we're not going to let that happen to Pete. You're not going to destroy his nomination based on anonymous sources.”
When asked whether he was prepared to cast a yes vote for Hegseth’s confirmation at this stage, Graham replied with a cautious affirmation.
“I'm in a good place with Pete, unless something I don't know about comes out,” he said. “These allegations are disturbing, but they're anonymous.”
He further stated, “He's given me his side of the story. It makes sense to me. I believe him. Unless somebody is willing to come forward, I think he's going to get through.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
“He told me he would release her from that agreement,” Graham told NBC's "Meet the Press," hosted by Kristen Welker. “Just think about what we're talking about — I'd want to know if anybody nominated for a high-level job in Washington legitimately assaulted somebody.”
Hegseth has encountered challenges during the confirmation process due to various allegations, including claims of sexual assault from 2017. He maintains that he was “completely cleared” of these accusations.
According to a statement from Hegseth’s attorney, which was obtained by the Washington Post, Hegseth compensated a woman who accused him of sexual assault in connection with a nondisclosure agreement, while still denying the allegations. Allowing her to be released from this agreement would permit her to speak out publicly.
Graham drew parallels to Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2018, saying, “Five people accused Justice Kavanaugh of misconduct. Three were outright lies, the other two, I think, were not credible,” referring to Christine Blasey Ford and other accusers. “So we're not going to let that happen to Pete. You're not going to destroy his nomination based on anonymous sources.”
When asked whether he was prepared to cast a yes vote for Hegseth’s confirmation at this stage, Graham replied with a cautious affirmation.
“I'm in a good place with Pete, unless something I don't know about comes out,” he said. “These allegations are disturbing, but they're anonymous.”
He further stated, “He's given me his side of the story. It makes sense to me. I believe him. Unless somebody is willing to come forward, I think he's going to get through.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
