Donald Trump has defended his Defense Secretary, while the Pentagon maintains Pete Hegseth intends to complete the administration's term through January 2029. However, advisers suggest Hegseth remains vulnerable following election losses and escalating friction with Capitol Hill. Republican Senator Thom Tillis warned that these tense congressional relations directly threaten a critical $1.5 trillion defense spending package.
Key points
Hegseth faces severe bipartisan scrutiny and potential investigations that imperil a mass…: Hegseth faces severe bipartisan scrutiny and potential investigations that imperil a massive defense spending measure.
White House discussions have circulated speculation about Hegseth potentially filling a v…: White House discussions have circulated speculation about Hegseth potentially filling a vacated Senate seat in Tennessee.
Pentagon leadership insists the agency followed the law and will not be deterred by congr…: Pentagon leadership insists the agency followed the law and will not be deterred by congressional inquiries.
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Asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, whom he has described as a champion of the war, Trump told reporters: "No, I think he's doing a very good job."
The response contrasted with then-President George Bush, who fired Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld the morning after the 2006 midterm elections, when voter discontent over the Iraq war helped Democrats win control of Congress.
But sources said Trump could still replace Hegseth as Republicans assess their losses.
One Trump adviser said Hegseth "could be on the chopping block" because of the war. "Someone is going to get blamed for this and you know it's not going to be him (Trump)," the adviser said.
Trump has described Hegseth as a key proponent of the unpopular conflict, saying on March 23: "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.'"
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