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Allegations mount against Trump's nominees for attorney general and defense secretary

A House Committee is in deadlock over releasing its investigation finding against Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz as accusations of sexual assault surface against Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth.

Allegations mount against Trump's nominees for attorney general and defense secretary

A House Committee is in deadlock over releasing its investigation finding against Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz as accusations of sexual assault surface against Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth.

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Allegations mount against Trump's nominees for attorney general and defense secretary

A House Committee is in deadlock over releasing its investigation finding against Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz as accusations of sexual assault surface against Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth.

Lawmakers are still mulling over sexual assault and drug-use allegations against President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department, former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz.On Wednesday, the House Ethics Committee voted along party lines against releasing its unfinished report on Gaetz but agreed to keep working on the investigation.Democrats are adamant the report be made public."I'm really hopeful for the good of the country that the Ethics Committee will act as it has in the past, in a bipartisan way, to make sure that all of the truth is out there," House Ethics Committee member Rep. Mark Desaulnier, D-California, said. "My hope is that it will be released.""I would argue it's their duty to access it, whether it's a public copy or a private copy for their review," Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, said. "Part of the whole advise and consent process is trying to make sure you have full information."Republicans remain deeply divided on whether the findings should be released."I think every senator should have the right to look at it before we cast our votes," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, said. "This stuff is very important for us to know because if laws were broken, prior to him being confirmed, I don't know how he can be confirmed moving forward. That is very concerning.""People should meet and go through a respectful, professional process," Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, said. "It's pretty straightforward."Meanwhile, a newly released police report alleges Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman in Monterey, California, in 2017.Hegseth's lawyer says he settled with the accuser and that the original encounter was consensual. The unidentified woman involved in the assault was the aggressor, according to the lawyer.Lawmakers screening nominees normally have an FBI background check to consider, but the Trump transition team has yet to sign the agreements to start the process.The delay could mean the Senate could vote on Trump's nominees without the usual third-party report that reveals personal problems, criminal histories, and other red flags. Once Trump assumes office, he could order his nominees to be given security clearance. His transition team has stated it plans to rely on its own resources to vet personnel instead.On social media Wednesday, Trump accused Democrats of "dirtying up" his nominees."This is what the Radical Left Lunatics do to people. They dirty them up. They destroy them, and then they spit them out," he wrote before ending his statement in all caps. "We will win!!! MAGA"

Lawmakers are still mulling over sexual assault and drug-use allegations against President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department, former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz.

On Wednesday, the House Ethics Committee voted along party lines against releasing its unfinished report on Gaetz but agreed to keep working on the investigation.

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Democrats are adamant the report be made public.

"I'm really hopeful for the good of the country that the Ethics Committee will act as it has in the past, in a bipartisan way, to make sure that all of the truth is out there," House Ethics Committee member Rep. Mark Desaulnier, D-California, said. "My hope is that it will be released."

"I would argue it's their duty to access it, whether it's a public copy or a private copy for their review," Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, said. "Part of the whole advise and consent process is trying to make sure you have full information."

Republicans remain deeply divided on whether the findings should be released.

"I think every senator should have the right to look at it before we cast our votes," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, said. "This stuff is very important for us to know because if laws were broken, prior to him being confirmed, I don't know how he can be confirmed moving forward. That is very concerning."

"People should meet and go through a respectful, professional process," Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, said. "It's pretty straightforward."

Meanwhile, a newly released police report alleges Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman in Monterey, California, in 2017.

Hegseth's lawyer says he settled with the accuser and that the original encounter was consensual. The unidentified woman involved in the assault was the aggressor, according to the lawyer.

Lawmakers screening nominees normally have an FBI background check to consider, but the Trump transition team has yet to sign the agreements to start the process.

The delay could mean the Senate could vote on Trump's nominees without the usual third-party report that reveals personal problems, criminal histories, and other red flags.

Once Trump assumes office, he could order his nominees to be given security clearance. His transition team has stated it plans to rely on its own resources to vet personnel instead.

On social media Wednesday, Trump accused Democrats of "dirtying up" his nominees.

"This is what the Radical Left Lunatics do to people. They dirty them up. They destroy them, and then they spit them out," he wrote before ending his statement in all caps. "We will win!!! MAGA"