Trump publicly backs Hegseth as questions grow over his future

President Donald Trump publicly backed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, even as he asked advisers whether Hegseth should remain in the job after Republicans’ midterm election losses, according to CBS News.

Asked by reporters if he was considering a replacement, Trump said, “No, I think he’s doing a very good job.” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement to CBS News that the president “has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth.” She also praised military operations in Iran and Venezuela and Hegseth’s efforts to reverse the previous Pentagon’s emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Multiple people familiar with Trump’s conversations told CBS News that he had raised Hegseth’s future with advisers in person and by phone. Other people told the network that the president had made no decision to replace him. One person said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had been floated as a possible successor, with a plan for Senate confirmation before the new Congress convenes and a start date after his term as governor ends Jan. 5.

The Iran war has become central to the debate over the election result. Vice President JD Vance wrote on X on Wednesday: “The reason we lost is the war.” The Guardian reported that Vance also questioned whether the war had been worth it and said it had cost Republicans control of Congress.

Trump has previously portrayed Hegseth as a leading advocate for military action against Iran. Speaking on March 23, Trump told him: “Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up, and you said: ‘Let’s do it, because you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.’”

The Guardian, citing CNN interviews, reported that a former senior Pentagon official described the war as primarily led by Hegseth’s department. A Republican close to the White House told CNN: “If the president is serious about anyone taking responsibility for it, it’s Pete Hegseth.” The Republican added that Hegseth had been “either dishonest or incorrect” about the war’s timelines and objectives.

Congressional pressure is also building. According to The Guardian, Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, has filed eight impeachment accusations against Hegseth and plans to force a House vote. Sen. Thom Tillis, another Republican, told CBS News on election night that Hegseth had “a reckoning” coming. Tillis said Hegseth’s strained ties with lawmakers were hindering the administration’s effort to secure a $1.5 trillion defense spending package.

Democrats have promised investigations into Hegseth’s management of the Pentagon, including the Iran war and the removal of senior military officers, The Guardian reported. Potential areas of scrutiny also include Ukraine policy and strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in Latin American waters. Rep. Adam Smith, expected to lead the House Armed Services Committee next year, pledged oversight of the war and what he called the erosion of the armed forces’ “apolitical foundation.”

CBS News reported that some White House aides expect Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to draw some blame for the war. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson, meanwhile, said in a statement to USA Today that the department was unified behind Hegseth’s vision.