Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News weekend anchor, is facing an uphill battle in his confirmation process as allegations have emerged regarding his workplace behavior, drinking habits, and treatment of women, including a sexual assault allegation from 2017. The accuser in question cannot publicly speak as she is under a confidentiality agreement, but Graham told NBC’s Meet the Press that Hegseth pledged to “release her from that agreement.”

“I’d want to know if anybody nominated for a high-level job in Washington legitimately assaulted somebody,” Graham said.

Graham said he is “in a good place” with Hegseth and will vote to confirm him “unless something I don’t know about comes out.”

“He’s given me his side of the story. It makes sense to me. I believe him,” Graham said. “Unless somebody’s willing to come forward, I think he’s gonna get through.”

Graham also noted that the accuser would need to present her claims to the public if she wanted them to be considered in the nomination process.

“The Pete Hegseth I know, this is not a problem I’ve been aware of,” Graham said.

“However, if people have an allegation to make, come forward and make it like they did in Kavanaugh,” he added, referring to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who also faced sexual assault allegations in his confirmation process. “We’ll decide whether or not it’s credible.”

The unnamed woman said Hegseth sexually assaulted her in 2017 at a Republican conference at a hotel in California, according to police files. Hegseth has denied the allegation, and no charges were brought. 

Other senators, including Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), have also said they wish to hear from the accuser directly. Following her meeting on Capitol Hill with Hegseth, Collins said she would “absolutely” want to hear from “that someone, if they are willing to come forward, might say something that can help us through the decision-making.”

Ernst, a veteran who has been a leader in the fight against sexual assault in the military and has been outspoken about being sexually assaulted herself, said Hegseth should be given an opportunity to make his case at a public confirmation.

“We’re moving through the process,” she told reporters last week after meeting with him twice. “He does respect I’m taking the time.”

“I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” she said.