Trump Nominee John Hyten Denies Sexual Assaults Accusations

Air Force General John Hyten, President Trump’s nominee for Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has denied allegations of sexual assault leveled against by Colonel Kathryn Spletstoser. During the Hyten’s Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, he insisted that the alleged encounter did not occur.

Spletstoser alleged that the General subjected her to unwanted touching, rubbing, and kissing.

“Nothing happened, ever,” Hyten said.

Hyten’s denial follows an investigation into the allegations that failed to find proof of Spletstoser’s claims. Hyten also had support from Republican Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona, a former Air Force pilot and survivor of sexual assault from a superior officer.

“The truth is that General Hyten is innocent of these charges,” McSally said. “Sexual assault happens in the military. It just didn’t happen in this case.”

“This committee takes allegations of sexual assault very seriously — it is unacceptable,” Republican Senator and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Jim Inhofe said. “But this committee will not act on unproven allegations—allegations that do not withstand the close scrutiny of this committee’s process.”

Hyten has said that he would back reform measures to address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault in the armed forces.

A 2018 survey by the Pentagon found 6,053 cases of sexual assault in the military, the highest number since such data began to be collected in 2004. The issue also seems to be worsening, as the 2018 number represented a nearly 38 percent increase from the previous year.

“It is a scourge on our military,” Hyten said of the problem.