Trump rules out replacing Hegseth as defense chief

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is not considering replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, suggesting that the head of the Pentagon could be “very popular” if he took Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s seat.

“No, I think he’s doing a very good job,” Trump said when asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth after Republicans performed poorly in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Democrats won control of the House, the Senate and several governorships.

Hegseth, a former Army National Guard major, is reportedly interested in the open Tennessee Senate seat and has been quietly campaigning for the position, according to The Hill.

“I think he’s doing a very good job, and I actually think he’d be very popular if he did that. But I haven’t heard that at all,” Trump said Wednesday when asked whether he would support Hegseth taking Blackburn’s seat.

CBS News reported Wednesday that Trump has been asking advisers whether Hegseth should remain.

Trump has raised the question with aides and in calls, although he has yet to decide Hegseth's future, according to the report.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has emerged as a possible successor for the defense post, with one source suggesting he could secure Senate confirmation during the lame-duck period before taking office after his gubernatorial term ends Jan. 5, it said.

Some White House aides have reportedly suggested Adm. Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, could face scrutiny for their roles in shaping military guidance on the Iran war.

Hegseth faced calls for impeachment from Democrats before the elections, and the prospect of action could gain momentum after the Democratic Party's expected majorities in both chambers of Congress.