Trump weighs future of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

President denies plans to fire Defense Secretary

President Trump has publicly denied reports that he intends to fire Hegseth. When asked on Wednesday afternoon if he was considering a replacement, Trump told reporters, "No, I think he's doing a very good job".

Other sources indicated that the president has not reached a decision to replace the defense secretary. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated that Trump has "full confidence" in Hegseth. Kelly also commended military actions in Iran and Venezuela and highlighted Hegseth’s work to overturn the Biden Pentagon’s emphasis on "DEI and woke ideology".

JD Vance blames war with Iran for GOP defeat

Vice President JD Vance explicitly blamed the war with Iran for the Republican losses in the midterm elections. Vance posted on X on Wednesday morning that "The reason we lost is the war".

President Trump called Vance's analysis "good" and stated that "We knew that when I went in". Voter dissatisfaction with United States military operations in Iran was a major factor in Democrats regaining control of Congress.

Some White House aides suggested that blame for the election losses also rests with Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, and General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. These officials provided guidance on the war in Iran. White House aides expect blame to fall on the officials most closely involved in the president's war on Iran.

Reports of potential successors and internal criticism

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is being considered as a potential replacement for Hegseth. Sources told CBS News that DeSantis could be confirmed by the Senate during the lame-duck period and assume the role after his governorship ends on Jan. 5.

Advisers believe these conversations could be a precursor to a firing, citing the president's history of Cabinet shake-ups.

Hegseth is "hardly beloved" inside the White House, according to reports from The Atlantic. People close to Trump told the publication that Hegseth sugarcoats the state of the war, with one adviser stating, "Hegseth is good at telling the president what he wants to hear".

Trump previously said that Hegseth would be "very popular" if he ran for U.S. Senate from Tennessee. During a Commonwealth leaders meeting in Antigua on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters, "They're asking less and they're offering more".

Legislative pressure and impeachment threats mount

Representative Thomas Massie said he will introduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if the secretary remains in office. This adds to existing legislative pressure as defense funding remains stalled in the Senate.

Massie introduced 8 articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, but House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed the vote by sending representatives home early. Both Democrats and some Republicans have called for the impeachment of Hegseth.

Broader political shifts following midterm results

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he will not seek another term as the Republican leader following the midterm losses. Weijia Jiang contributed to this report.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs won reelection, defeating a Republican election denier. In Georgia, Democrat Jon Ossoff won the Senate race.

Democrats prepare for oversight and investigations

Democrats also expect to investigate allegations that President Trump’s family and friends profited from his presidency.

Impeachment proceedings could target either Trump or Hegseth.

Democrats will need the signature of Trump on legislation for it to become law.