Donald Trump is considering replacing his pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, has faced growing controversy, with new allegations about his past behavior, including sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse, which have raised concerns among GOP senators and threatened his confirmation.
Hegseth is scheduled to appear before the House Republican Study Committee on Wednesday to answer questions, which could help address some of the concerns. However, his confirmation process is becoming more uncertain. Hegseth’s mother, Penelope, has already defended him publicly, even though she had criticized his treatment of women in the past.
Meanwhile, Trump’s transition team is reportedly looking at alternatives for the Pentagon job, with Governor Ron DeSantis being a potential replacement. DeSantis, who served in the military, would be a surprising choice, especially since he ran against Trump in the GOP presidential primary. The two exchanged harsh words during the campaign, but DeSantis is still seen as a respected conservative leader.
The controversy surrounding Hegseth includes allegations of alcohol abuse and past sexual misconduct, which have led to more scrutiny from GOP senators. On Tuesday, Trump’s nominee for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sheriff Chad Chronister, also withdrew his nomination, citing the weight of the responsibility.
While Hegseth is still pushing forward with his nomination, his position is becoming more precarious. He recently held meetings with senators, bringing his wife, former Fox News producer Jennifer Cunningham Rauchet, along to help his cause. Despite the ongoing controversy, Trump adviser Jason Miller said the team isn’t worried about the negative reports surrounding Hegseth.
If Trump moves forward with DeSantis, it would be a significant shift in his Cabinet choices as DeSantis is set to finish his term as governor in 2027.
