CBS: US President Explores Firing Defense Secretary After Republican Defeats - Sarmad
CBS: Trump consults his advisors on dismissing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following Republican losses in the congressional elections.
Translated by Qiyas from سرمد — Original source
U.S. network CBS News reported that President Donald Trump is consulting his advisers about dismissing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following the Republicans’ defeat in the congressional elections.
On Wednesday, the network quoted multiple informed sources as saying that Trump raised questions with his advisers, during in-person meetings and phone calls, about Hegseth’s continued tenure in the wake of the midterm election results on Tuesday, November 3.
It noted that some White House aides expect part of the blame for the Republicans’ loss to be placed on U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kaine, who played a prominent role in providing military advice regarding the war on Iran.
Other sources confirmed that Trump has not yet made a decision to dismiss Hegseth, while the likelihood of the Secretary of Defense facing impeachment proceedings in Congress is increasing, after Democrats had already begun efforts to hold him accountable before the elections and secured majorities in both the House and the Senate.
In a related development, Trump acknowledged that the war on Iran contributed to his party’s loss, telling Fox News that Iran was “part” of the reasons for the defeat. However, he defended his decision to launch the war, telling The Wall Street Journal: “I did the right thing, and I would do it again.”
CBS News quoted one of its sources as saying that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is being considered as a potential replacement for Hegseth, noting that his appointment could be confirmed by the Senate during the congressional transition period, with him assuming office after his term as governor of Florida ends on January 5.
