President Trump said Thursday he intends to keep Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, but conceded that if a change were necessary, getting a successor confirmed would be far smoother before Democrats assume control of the Senate in January. In an interview with ABC News's Jonathan Karl, Trump said he has "every intention" of retaining Hegseth in the Cabinet, pushing back on reports that he was reconsidering the Pentagon chief's future after Tuesday's midterm elections.
Trump acknowledged receiving calls from critics of Hegseth, but said he didn't "understand why" they were concerned. The president reiterated that Hegseth was "doing a very good job," and floated the idea that the former Fox News host could be a strong candidate for Congress, suggesting he would be "very popular" if he ran for the Tennessee seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is instead running for governor.
Hegseth has reportedly expressed interest in that Senate seat, according to sources who spoke to The Hill in late October. While some described his behind-the-scenes campaigning as an open secret, a Pentagon spokesperson dismissed the chatter as "beltway gossip by anonymous sources."
The Democratic sweep of the House and Senate in the midterms has created a tight confirmation window. Under the current Republican majority, Trump could afford to lose up to three GOP votes in the Senate. But when Democrats take over, they will hold at least 54 seats, possibly 55 if Alaska's race goes their way, meaning any Trump nominee would need Democratic support to be confirmed.
That dynamic has injected new urgency into any potential personnel changes at the Pentagon. If Hegseth were to step aside, the president would need to move quickly to name and push through a successor before the new Congress convenes. Otherwise, the confirmation battle could become a major flashpoint in the new political landscape.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), expected to become Speaker when Democrats take the gavel, appeared to needle the administration on Thursday morning, posting on social media: "Why is Pete Hegseth still around?"
The president's remarks come as his broader political standing faces fresh scrutiny after the midterm setbacks. Trump's midterm gamble backfired, and some Republicans are openly questioning his leadership. The party's losses have also fueled internal finger-pointing, with a former Trump aide calling for chief of staff Susie Wiles to resign.
Democrats, meanwhile, are already mapping out strategies to check the president's agenda, including on defense and national security. Their multifront approach is likely to include aggressive oversight of the Pentagon and hearings on Hegseth's tenure.
For now, Hegseth remains in his post, but the political calendar is unforgiving. With the new Congress set to convene in January, any decision about his future—or a replacement—will have to be made in a matter of weeks.
