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Senators Question DOD Nominee John Hyten over Sexual Assault Accusations

HeadlineJul 31, 2019

General John Hyten, Trump’s nominee to be the next vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, faced questioning by senators on the Armed Services Committee Tuesday. Hyten has been accused by Colonel Kathryn Spletstoser of making nonconsensual sexual contact with her, including on a work trip in 2017 when she alleges Hyten forcibly kissed her and rubbed against her body until he ejaculated. Hyten has denied the allegations. Arizona Republican Senator Martha McSally, who earlier this year shared her story of being raped while serving in the military, defended Hyten and said the allegations were fabricated. Meanwhile, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who this year revealed she was raped when she was a college student, expressed doubts about Hyten’s judgment and questioned why he reprimanded his accuser. After the hearing, Colonel Spletstoser told reporters that Hyten had lied under oath. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand have called for the colonel to testify publicly before moving ahead with a confirmation vote.

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