Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for US Defence Secretary, was cleared of a 2017 sexual assault allegation after a thorough investigation, officials in California confirmed.

The alleged incident, which took place in Monterey, California, involved claims made days after an alleged assault at a hotel. However, no charges were filed against Hegseth, who strongly denies any wrongdoing.

In a statement, Hegseth’s lawyer emphasized that the case had been fully investigated and that the Fox News host and veteran was cleared of all allegations.

Despite the attention the matter has garnered, Hegseth’s legal team maintains it should have no bearing on his upcoming confirmation process.

Hegseth, who has no prior management experience, was nominated by Trump for the position of Defence Secretary, a surprising move given his background in media and military service. However, he will now face Senate hearings and a vote to confirm his appointment.

If confirmed, Hegseth will oversee the nearly $900 billion US Department of Defense and will be responsible for key military decisions, including US support for Israel and Ukraine. The US Defence Department manages over 2.9 million military and civilian personnel worldwide.

While Hegseth has been controversial for his outspoken views on military diversity and gender roles in combat, he has continued to maintain a firm stance on reshaping the military, much to the support of his conservative backers.

This comes amidst revelations regarding Hegseth’s past, including his personal life, with reports linking him to an extramarital affair with a Fox producer. Despite these controversies, Hegseth has remained a prominent figure in conservative circles.