Updated Jul 10, 2019

Trump Joint Chiefs vice chair nominee accused of sexual misconduct

Rebecca Falconer

Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten listens during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. — Air Force Gen. Photo: Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

A senior military officer has accused Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who's tapped to be the next Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman, of subjecting her to a series of unwanted sexual advances, AP reported Wednesday. She alleges he tried to derail her career when she rebuffed him.

Why it matters: Defense One first reported that while the Pentagon cleared Hyten of the allegations, senators are still looking into the matter, and he may face questions on the claims during his Senate confirmation process.

The big picture: The woman alleged to AP that Hyten kissed, hugged and rubbed up against her when she was one of his aides in 2017.

The Wall Street Journal reports a senior military officer familiar with the investigation told reporters, "We did not uncover any evidence that would support these specific allegations."

"Every single rock that we thought to look under, we looked under."

This article has been updated with more details, including comments from military officials.

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Trump Joint Chiefs vice chair nominee accused of sexual misconduct

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