President-elect Trump is weighing his options for Defense secretary as Pete Hegseth’s nomination teeters amid criticism from some Republicans about misconduct allegations.
A source confirmed to The Hill that Trump is considering potential alternatives, which include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s one-time top political rival.
A source familiar with the matter told The Hill that Trump has asked DeSantis about the role of Defense secretary, and that the governor is “seriously considering” the position.
Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, was asked directly on Fox Business Network whether the president-elect was considering DeSantis as a replacement for Hegseth and did not rule it out.
“Until we hear it from President Trump then it’s all just chatter,” Miller told Maria Bartiromo. “Here’s the important point, though. It’s going to be President Trump that’s picking the next DOD secretary, not Kamala Harris.”
Trump and DeSantis spoke in-person on Tuesday during an event for fallen law enforcement officers in Florida, though it’s unclear if an administration job was part of the discussion.
DeSantis also must appoint a successor to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is nominated to become secretary of State in the new Trump administration. Lara Trump, the president-elect’s dauther-in-law, has repeatedly come up as a potential successor to Rubio.
Hegseth, meanwhile, has signaled he is prepared to fight for his nomination, with plans to return to Capitol Hill Wednesday to meet with key senators that could sink his nomination as well as with the House Republicans in the Republican Study Committee. While House lawmakers do not get to vote on the Hegseth nomination, the meeting could be used to pressure GOP senators to support him.
On Capitol Hill Wednesday, Hegseth told CBS News that he does not intend to withdraw his name from consideration and that he spoke with Trump that morning, with the incoming president telling him to keep going.
“I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said, ‘Keep going, keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way,’” Hegseth said. “Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter. I’m here for the fighters. This is personal and passionate for me.”
Hegseth earlier Wednesday also fired off a social media post suggesting recent reports of his past sexual impropriety and alcohol abuse were nothing more than a concentrated smear campaign.
“The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump—and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth,” Hegseth posted along with a photograph of himself in the military on the social media site X. “Our warriors never back down, & neither will I.”
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, has seen his nomination pushed to the brink in the face of mounting allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and other controversial behavior in his previous jobs.
Republican senators on Tuesday, during Hegseth’s third round of meetings since last month, questioned his chances of making it through the nomination process, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) calling some of the allegations against him “very disturbing.”
“He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this stuff is going to be difficult,” Graham told CBS News on Tuesday.
Hegseth can only afford to lose the support of three GOP senators, assuming all Democrats vote against his nomination.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Joni Ernst (Iowa), who are among at least a half-dozen senators seen as being on the fence, remain noncommittal on Hegseth.
On Wednesday, Hegseth was set to confer with Ernst, an Army National Guard veteran who is expected to be influential in his chances of confirmation.
In another sign Hegseth and his team are working to salvage his nomination, nis mother also appeared Wednesday morning on “Fox & Friends” to appeal to female senators to give her son a fair hearing. She addressed a New York Times report on an email she sent in 2017 chastising her son’s treatment of women. Penelope Hegseth has said she regretted sending the email, and on “Fox & Friends” insisted her son was a changed man.
“He’s a changed man. And I just hope people will get to know who Pete is today,” Penelope Hegseth said. “Especially our dear female senators. That you would listen to him. Listen with your heart to the truth of Pete.”
CNN reported Hegseth himself is in talks to appear on Fox News later Wednesday for an interview. The move would be a sign of how Hegseth is working to stabilize his nomination, as other Trump Cabinet nominees have largely avoided appearing in the media as they meet with senators and seek to lock down support.
In another unusual move, Hegseth brought his wife, former Fox News producer Jennifer Cunningham Rauchet, with him to meetings with senators on Monday and Tuesday.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported that Trump was considering DeSantis to lead the Pentagon, listed other names floated as potential replacements should Hegseth withdraw, including Ernst and Elbridge Colby, who served in a deputy role in the Defense Department during Trump’s first term.
For Trump to choose DeSantis would amount to a remarkable 180 degree turn in their relationship from a year ago, when then-candidate Trump relentlessly attacked the Florida governor amid a bitter GOP primary campaign.
Trump repeatedly accused DeSantis of being disloyal for running his campaign despite Trump’s endorsement during DeSantis’s 2018 gubernatorial bid. The relationship remained frosty for months even after DeSantis ended his presidential bid in January.
But allies for both men, including businessman and Trump’s pick for Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, have worked to broker a truce between Trump and DeSantis.
DeSantis, whose term ends in 2026 and cannot seek reelection, served in the Navy and was awarded the Bronze Star. His criticism of diversity and equity measures in recent years aligns with Trump’s pledge to rid the military of “woke” generals and initiatives.
Julia Manchester contributed.
