Trump considers firing Hegseth after heavy election defeat
Trump is considering firing Defense Secretary Hegseth after the election defeat. Ron DeSantis is also mentioned as the successor.
President Donald Trump is considering firing his Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after the Republicans' heavy defeat in the US midterm elections. According to CBS News, Trump has asked several advisers whether Hegseth can stay on. The war with Iran in particular plays an important role.
A decision has not yet been made. Meanwhile, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has already been named as a possible successor. The White House stresses that Trump still has full confidence in Hegseth.
After the loss of the Republican majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, unrest within the White House is growing. The war with Iran in particular is seen as a possible cause of the heavy electoral defeat.
According to CBS News, Trump has asked several advisers whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth can stay on. He is under pressure because of the war that the United States started with Israel at the end of February.
The position of two high soldiers is also under a magnifying glass. These include Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads US forces in the Middle East, and General Dan Caine, Trump's top military adviser. Both were closely involved in the military strategy around Iran.
Vice President JD Vance also makes a direct connection between the war and the election defeat. On X, he wrote Wednesday that he believes the Republicans have lost because of the conflict.
If Trump decides to fire Hegseth, Ron DeSantis may come into the picture. According to CBS News, the Republican governor of Florida is named within the party as a possible successor.
DeSantis could be approved by the current Senate before the change of power in Congress. His term as governor expires on 5 January, which would allow him to start as Minister of Defence shortly thereafter.
For the time being, however, there is no question of dismissal. The White House stresses that Trump still has full confidence in Hegseth.
Nevertheless, the pressure on the minister may continue to increase. Democratic politicians had previously wanted to start impeachment proceedings against him. Now that the party has won the majority in both chambers of Congress, a new attempt becomes more likely.