Trump Weighs Hegseth’s Future After Republican Midterm Losses

President Donald Trump has been asking advisers in person and by phone whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should keep his job, as the administration reckons with Republicans’ losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Trump has not decided whether to replace him.

Some White House aides expect blame for the losses to fall in part on Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads CENTCOM, alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs. Both had major roles in guidance on the Iran war.

Vice President JD Vance pointed to the war as a reason for the defeat, writing on X on Wednesday: “The reason we lost is the war.” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump has “full confidence” in Hegseth.

One source said Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, had emerged as a contender to succeed Hegseth. Under that proposal, DeSantis could secure Senate approval before the lame-duck period ends, with Republicans still in charge of the chamber, and take the Pentagon post when his term as governor ends Jan. 5.

Hegseth also faces a possible escalation of the impeachment effort Democrats had pursued before the election. With Democrats set to hold strong majorities in both chambers, that effort could gain momentum.

The Iran War Has Put Hegseth’s Job in Doubt

The Iran war is now at the center of the fallout from Republicans’ midterm losses, and President Donald Trump is asking advisers whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should remain in his post. The president has not made a decision, but the turmoil puts the administration’s war leadership under scrutiny.

Vice President JD Vance stated the political cost plainly on X on Wednesday: “The reason we lost is the war.” White House aides expect some blame to land on Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads CENTCOM, alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs, both involved in guidance on the conflict.

Hegseth could also face a stronger impeachment push. Democrats had sought to oust him through impeachment even before voters went to the polls, and are set to hold strong majorities in both chambers. The prospect of a new defense secretary does not resolve the questions raised by a war that Vance himself linked to the party’s defeat.

One possible successor under discussion is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The idea is for him to secure Senate approval before the lame-duck period ends, while Republicans remain in charge of the chamber, then take over when his gubernatorial term ends Jan. 5. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump has full confidence in Hegseth.

Trump Considers Hegseth’s Future as Democrats Prepare Impeachment Push

President Donald Trump is weighing whether Pete Hegseth should remain defense secretary after Republicans’ midterm losses, even as Democrats prepare to press an impeachment effort that could gain momentum with strong majorities in both chambers. Trump has not decided to replace Hegseth.

The personnel discussion comes as some White House aides expect the Iran war’s military leadership to take part of the blame for the election result. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads CENTCOM, and Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs, both played major roles in guidance on the war. Vice President JD Vance also cited the conflict, writing on X, “The reason we lost is the war.”

A possible successor being discussed is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The proposal would have him gain Senate approval before the lame-duck period is over, with Republicans still in charge of the chamber, before taking the post when his term as governor ends Jan. 5.

Democrats had pursued impeachment before the election and may now have stronger numbers to advance that effort. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly, meanwhile, said Trump has full confidence in Hegseth. The coming decision will test whether the president keeps his defense secretary or chooses a new leader for the Pentagon.