Trump Hegseth replacement after midterm losses, Digi Mart USA News: The embattled Defence Secretary could prove a handy fall guy for midterm losses, but the President needs to pick his replacement quickly.
As the dust settles on one of the biggest U.S. electoral defeats in recent memory, the blame game among Republicans has already begun.
Vice President JD Vance wasted little time in identifying the cause of the party’s woes: a deeply unpopular war with Iran.
While Donald Trump ultimately decided to initiate that conflict, he could not have received more encouragement from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who remains insistent the now nine-month war has been a resounding success for America and the world. For Republicans, and potentially a President, looking for a fall guy, Hegseth ticks many boxes, and at least one party member has already backed an effort to remove him from office, potentially as soon as next week.
If Trump decides to mirror George Bush’s ousting of Donald Rumsfeld, he will have to move quickly to appoint a successor, with Democrat control of Congress creating a significant hurdle. Hegseth has been one of Trump’s most loyal and passionate supporters throughout the President’s second term.
The President has backed his Defence Secretary despite a scandal in which Hegseth shared classified information with members of a group chat, and despite intense scrutiny over his purges of high-level military officials and efforts to restrict journalists’ access to the Pentagon. Trump has also praised Hegseth for overseeing a controversial campaign of strikes against what both men describe as “narcoterrorists” in the Pacific, as well as for how U.S.
forces have carried out the war with Iran.
He publicly doubled down on that praise on Thursday, telling reporters at the White House that Hegseth was doing “a fantastic job.” Privately, however, reports have emerged that the President is considering replacing the self-styled “Secretary of War.” CBS News, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the discussions, said Trump had spent time on Wednesday asking advisers whether Hegseth should remain in his post.
Trump has acknowledged that the unpopularity of the Iran war played a role in Republicans’ midterm defeat at the ballot box, although it is unclear how much the President believes Hegseth shares the blame. For many Republicans, the Defence Secretary’s actions and rhetoric about the war were viewed as severely damaging even before the midterms.
Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie had already attempted to begin an impeachment of Hegseth, signaling that any forthcoming Democrat effort to oust the Defence Secretary could enjoy a level of bipartisan support. It is possible Trump may reach an agreement with Hegseth to ensure his departure and spare his ally from such a process.
Even Massie, writing on social media, suggested his proposed method of removal would be “a much gentler version of what’s coming when Dem’s control Congress.”
Trump may be further motivated to reach an agreement if Hegseth, who has long-term political ambitions, were able to secure another position, such as a House or Senate seat. One such post has just become vacant, with Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn due to vacate her seat when she assumes the governorship of the state in January.
Blackburn could appoint Hegseth to serve out the remainder of her term. When asked about the possibility by reporters on Thursday, Trump replied: “I actually think he’d be very popular if he did that.”
Hegseth, however, has given no indication he is willing to step aside. In a lengthy video message published on Thursday, the Defence Secretary hit back at critics and appeared to challenge his opponents to launch an impeachment effort.
“It’s all about the politics of personal destruction,” he declared. “Didn’t work against President Trump, and it won’t work with me.
You can rest assured of that.”
If Trump decides to part ways with Hegseth, he will need to act fast. Being appointed Defence Secretary, like all U.S.
cabinet posts, requires confirmation by the Senate, a chamber that is about to fall under Democrat control. It is highly unlikely Trump could secure the Democratic support needed to appoint a new Secretary willing to run the Pentagon in the same manner as Hegseth, or one so openly loyal to the President’s agenda.
However, one legislative session, known as the “lame duck” session, remains before Republicans lose their majorities in both houses, giving Trump the opportunity to try to force through a nomination. If the President is keen to protect Hegseth from impeachment, he may need to act quicker still.
In an interview with Politico on Thursday, Massie said he would use the upcoming House session to launch his effort to remove the Defence Secretary, potentially as soon as Wednesday.
With Republicans likely to struggle to muster votes, given that many members choose to sit out “lame duck” sessions after losing their seats, it is possible the party could fail to prevent the measure from passing. It is not immediately clear who the frontrunners to replace Hegseth would be should Trump dismiss him.
The biggest name linked to the role is outgoing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who some reports have suggested would have enough backing to clear the Senate confirmation process before Democrats take control. Trump and DeSantis have a mixed relationship.
The pair were once close, but the Florida Governor’s presidential challenge saw them exchange barbs. DeSantis has not ruled out another run for the presidency once Trump’s term ends, potentially making it unlikely he would accept an offer to serve as Defence Secretary.
Another presidential hopeful, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has been floated in some quarters, but given his own ambitions, a switch of portfolio would come as a surprise.
