President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his pick for defense secretary amid mounting accusations about his conduct, according to multiple media reports.
The Wall Street Journal first reported this On Tuesday evening, Trump considered removing Hegseth’s name and replacing him with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a former rival and now a staunch supporter. Other possible names Defense Department leaders included Senator Joni Ernst (R) of Iowa and Senator Bill Hagerty (R) of Tennessee, according to CNN.
Hegseth, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is the latest nominee to face a fierce confirmation battle amid a series of shocking allegations. A woman accused him of sexual assault at a Republican conference in 2017. He has said the encounter was consensual, but reached a settlement with the woman for an undisclosed amount in 2023. No charges have been filed in this case.
The New Yorker published another bombshell this month claiming he was forced to resign from two veterans groups amid allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety and other misconduct. NBC News added to those allegations on Tuesday, citing current and former Fox News employees who said they were alarmed when Hegseth regularly appeared on the network smelling of alcohol.
“Everyone would talk about it behind the scenes before he went on the air,” one of the former Fox employees told NBC.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Hegseth has denied all allegations, claiming they are political cheap shots from disgruntled former employees.
If Trump withdraws his support, it would be the second major setback for his incoming cabinet. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) quit his nomination as the next attorney general last month amid allegations that he attended sex parties with minors.
Gaetz has vehemently denied the claims.
If DeSantis is anointed to lead the Pentagon, he would be Trump’s latest pick from his home state of Florida. Senator Marco Rubio (R) was named his secretary of state and DeSantis is already preparing to appoint an interim replacement to fill his seat.