Trump denies plans to replace Hegseth after reportedly questioning his future at Pentagon - CBS
US President Donald Trump publicly denied considering replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after CBS News reported that he had been asking advisers whether Hegseth should remain in his post following Republicans' sweeping defeat in the November 3 midterm elections.
According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, Trump consulted advisers in person and by phone about Hegseth's future as members of his administration assessed the reasons behind the Republican losses.
Some White House aides expect senior military officials, including US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, to face criticism over their roles in the war against Iran.
Vice President JD Vance also directly linked the Republican defeat to the conflict.
"The reason we lost is the war," Vance wrote on X on November 4.
One source told CBS News that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had been floated as a possible replacement for Hegseth. DeSantis' term as governor ends on January 5.
However, when reporters asked Trump on November 4 whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, the president replied: "No, I think he's doing a very good job."
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly also said Trump had "full confidence in Secretary Hegseth."
CBS noted that Democrats had already sought to impeach Hegseth before the elections, and their new majorities in both chambers of Congress could increase the likelihood of another impeachment effort.