President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering replacing former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his choice for defense secretary amid mounting allegations of misconduct. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that Trump is contemplating pulling Hegseth’s nomination and instead selecting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a former adversary turned staunch supporter. Other potential candidates for the position include Iowa Senator Joni Ernst and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty, as reported by CNN.
Hegseth, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of sexual assault during a Republican conference in 2017. While he maintains that the encounter was consensual, he reached a settlement with the accuser in 2023. The New Yorker recently published a damning article accusing Hegseth of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and other misconduct, leading to his resignation from two veterans groups. NBC News also reported claims from former Fox News employees that Hegseth would often show up to work smelling of alcohol.
Despite vehemently denying all allegations and dismissing them as politically motivated attacks, Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary remains uncertain. This potential setback would mark the second major blow to Trump’s incoming Cabinet, following former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration as attorney general over allegations of attending sex parties involving minors.
If DeSantis is ultimately chosen to lead the Department of Defense, he would be the latest Floridian appointed by Trump to a key position in his administration. Senator Marco Rubio was previously selected as secretary of state, and DeSantis is already making arrangements to name an interim replacement for his Senate seat.
