Trump Supports Hegseth... Questions About His Future

Washington (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his support for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth a day after Democrats took control of both the House and Senate in midterm congressional elections that reflected voter anger over the war with Iran.

When asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, whom Trump described as one of the war’s strongest supporters, the president told reporters, “No, I think he’s doing a very good job.”

This response contrasted with the stance of former President George W. Bush, who dismissed Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on the morning after the 2006 midterms, when voter discontent over the Iraq War helped Democrats gain control of Congress.

However, sources said the possibility of Trump appointing a replacement for Hegseth remains on the table as Republicans continue to assess their losses.

One of Trump’s advisers said Hegseth “may be on the verge of losing his post” because of the war. He added, “Someone will be held accountable for this, and obviously that person will not be him,” referring to Trump.

Meanwhile, the Department of Defense stated that Hegseth is “100 percent committed” to leading the Pentagon until the end of Trump’s term on January 20, 2029.

Democrats have vowed to investigate Hegseth and his management of the Pentagon, with advisers saying the scrutiny could cover everything from his handling of the war to the dismissals he carried out, which included high-ranking military officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

A source familiar with the matter said the animosity toward Hegseth in the Capitol was evident in discussions at the White House about who might succeed him, noting the need for someone in the position who could distance himself from events subject to Democratic scrutiny.

One long-rumored possibility for Hegseth is filling a U.S. Senate seat instead of Senator Marsha Blackburn, who was elected on Tuesday to become governor of Tennessee starting in January.

Blackburn still has four years remaining in her term, and Hegseth, a Tennessee resident who voted there on Tuesday, could be appointed to the seat without needing to run for election.

When asked whether he wanted Hegseth to fill Blackburn’s seat, Trump said, “Well, I think, I think he’s doing a very good job, and I think actually he would be very popular if he did that.”

He added to reporters, “But I haven’t heard anything like that at all.”