President Donald Trump reportedly asked his advisers on Wednesday whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should remain in his post after the Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm congressional elections. Florida’s outgoing governor, Ron DeSantis, could succeed Hegseth.
Trump reportedly raised the question of the defense secretary’s future both in face-to-face conversations with advisers and by phone. Some White House officials also anticipated that Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, could be blamed for the Republicans’ electoral losses. Both played a significant role in planning military operations related to the war with Iran. Vice President JD Vance also linked the election result to the conflict in a Wednesday post on X. “The reason we lost is the war [with Iran],” he said.
According to CBS News sources, Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, is among those mentioned as potential successors to Hegseth. The scenario under consideration would have the Senate confirm his nomination before the new term of Congress begins, with DeSantis then taking the job after his term in Florida ends on Jan. 5. So far, however, no official proposal of his candidacy has emerged.
Reports of Hegseth’s possible removal come against the backdrop of earlier Democratic efforts to impeach the secretary of war. The party’s winning majorities in both chambers of Congress could open the way to starting the procedure.
On Wednesday afternoon, reporters asked Trump whether he was considering replacing Hegseth. “No, I think he’s doing a very good job,” he replied. The president was also asked whether Hegseth might take Marsha Blackburn’s Senate seat from Tennessee, as she moves into the governor’s office. “Actually, I think he’d be very popular if he did that, but I haven’t heard anything about it at all,” Trump said.
Ed. JŁ
Source: Słoneczne Radio
