President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a major shakeup at the Pentagon following Republicans’ bruising midterm election losses, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s future suddenly under discussion and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis emerging as a possible replacement.
Trump has privately questioned advisers about whether Hegseth should remain in his position, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to CBS News.
The conversations come after Democrats captured both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s elections, delivering a significant setback to Republicans as the administration confronts mounting criticism over the ongoing war with Iran.
However, sources emphasized that Trump has not made a decision to remove Hegseth, and the White House publicly defended the defense secretary Wednesday.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the president “has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth.”
Kelly also praised Hegseth’s leadership during American military operations in Iran and Venezuela, while highlighting his efforts to reverse the previous administration’s emphasis on “DEI and woke ideology.”
Hegseth has made eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives a central priority at the Pentagon, arguing that the military should prioritize combat readiness and national security over political and social programs.
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But the administration’s foreign policy challenges have become increasingly difficult to separate from the political fallout of Tuesday’s elections.
According to CBS News, some White House aides expect scrutiny to extend beyond Hegseth to senior military officials involved in planning and advising on the Iran conflict.
Among those reportedly facing potential criticism are Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Both officers have played significant roles in providing military guidance throughout the war, which has continued for approximately eight months.
The conflict has disrupted international energy markets, driven up fuel prices and become a major issue for voters concerned about the economy.
Vice President JD Vance delivered a particularly striking assessment Wednesday morning, placing responsibility for the Republican Party’s election losses on the conflict.
“The reason we lost is the war,” Vance wrote in a lengthy post on X.
His comments highlighted growing concerns within Republican circles about the political consequences of the military campaign.
Trump has defended his administration’s actions against Iran, maintaining that American military operations were necessary despite the economic and political costs.
The president has also pursued diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, although an agreement has yet to materialize.
Meanwhile, the reported discussions about Hegseth have fueled speculation about who could assume leadership of the Pentagon if Trump ultimately decides to make a change.
One name attracting attention is DeSantis, the outgoing Republican governor of Florida and a former presidential primary rival of Trump.
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A source told CBS News that DeSantis has been floated as a potential replacement, with the possibility of securing Senate confirmation before Democrats take control of the chamber in January.
Under that scenario, DeSantis could assume the position after his gubernatorial term expires Jan. 5.
The governor, a Navy veteran who served as a military lawyer, has extensive experience in national security issues and has frequently emphasized military preparedness and opposition to progressive policies.
Ron DeSantis also challenged Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination before withdrawing and endorsing the former president.
Despite their previous rivalry, both Republicans have maintained significant influence within the conservative movement.
Still, the possibility of DeSantis joining the administration remains speculative. There has been no formal announcement, nomination or confirmation process.
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The reported discussions also come as Democrats prepare to wield greater power over the Pentagon through congressional oversight.
Democratic lawmakers had already pursued efforts to impeach Hegseth before the midterms, and their newly won congressional majorities could give those efforts additional momentum.
Republicans, meanwhile, face questions about how to respond to the election results while defending the administration’s military and economic policies.
For Trump, replacing Pete Hegseth would represent a consequential personnel decision involving one of his administration’s most recognizable Cabinet officials.
It could also signal a change in the Pentagon’s leadership at a time when American forces remain engaged in the Middle East and the administration is pursuing a negotiated resolution with Iran.
But the White House’s public position remains unchanged.
Despite reports of private conversations about Hegseth’s future, the administration insists Trump continues to support his defense secretary.
For now, the president has made no announced personnel changes, leaving Hegseth in charge of the Pentagon as speculation mounts over whether the Republican election losses will trigger a broader administration shakeup.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
