DeSantis named as potential Pentagon chief after GOP midterm losses

President Trump is considering replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Multiple sources familiar with the matter said that the president has been asking advisers if Hegseth should stay in his job following the Republican Party's losses in Tuesday night's midterm elections.

The timing of a potential swap is specific. One source said DeSantis could be confirmed by the Senate during the lame-duck session. He would then assume the role of defense secretary when his term as Florida governor ends on January 5.

Vice President JD Vance placed blame for the election results on recent military conflicts. In a post on X on Wednesday morning, Vance wrote, "The reason we lost is the war." Other White House aides expect criticism to fall on military leaders who guided operations in Iran. Those leaders include Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

President Trump offered a different public assessment on Wednesday afternoon. When reporters asked if he was considering replacing Hegseth, Trump said, "No, I think he's doing a very good job." He later suggested Hegseth might be popular in a different role. Trump said he would like to see Hegseth appointed to the Senate seat vacated by Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn. Blackburn will leave the Senate to serve as governor of Tennessee. Trump added, "I actually think he'd be very popular if he did that, but I haven't heard that at all."

The White House maintained its support for the current defense secretary. Spokeswoman Anna Kelly issued a statement saying the president has full confidence in Hegseth. Kelly praised military operations in Iran and Venezuela. She also noted Hegseth's efforts to change the priorities set by the Biden administration, which she said focused on "DEI and woke ideology."

Democrats held strong majorities in both chambers of Congress following Tuesday's vote. Before the election, Democratic leaders were already pushing for Hegseth's impeachment. Sources indicated that the likelihood of such an effort could increase now that Democrats control both houses.