President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly reconsidering his nomination of Pete Hegseth as Defence Secretary, amid serious allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement.
Sources suggest Florida governor Ron DeSantis is being evaluated as a potential replacement, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, has come under scrutiny following accusations of sexual misconduct, misuse of funds at veterans’ charities, and inappropriate behaviour during his tenure at Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America.
These revelations have raised significant doubts among Senate Republicans, whose support is essential for confirmation.
As per NBC News, at least six GOP senators have expressed concerns about Hegseth’s suitability for the role, with some describing the allegations as “disturbing.”
DeSantis, who is a former Navy Judge Advocate General Corps officer and Trump’s 2024 primary rival, has emerged as a viable alternative amid the controversy.
As per The Wall Street Journal, DeSantis was on an earlier shortlisted candidate lineup for the Pentagon role but lost out to Hegseth during the initial selection process.
On Capitol Hill, Hegseth has been meeting with Senate Republicans to salvage his nomination.
According to CBS News, he insisted that he would not withdraw, claiming Trump encouraged him to “keep fighting.”
However, reports from The New Yorker detailed troubling allegations against Hegseth, including incidents of intoxication, inappropriate conduct at work events, and offensive remarks during veterans’ charity tours.
Trump and DeSantis were recently seen together at a memorial service for fallen police officers in Florida, fuelling speculation about the governor’s possible nomination.
As per Reuters, DeSantis has been presented with the idea of taking over the defence secretary role, although his office has not commented on the matter.
DeSantis, who endorsed Trump after suspending his presidential campaign earlier this year, has been a vocal critic of “woke” policies in the Pentagon. During his campaign, he proposed cutting diversity initiatives, eliminating military programmes focused on climate change, and reversing policies allowing transgender service members to serve under their preferred gender.
According to Fox news, Hegseth’s mother, Penelope Hegseth, defended her son, acknowledging past struggles but asserting that he was a changed man. Speaking directly to Trump, she pleaded, “My son is not the man he was seven years ago.”
With the confirmation process hanging in the balance, Trump’s team is reportedly weighing all options. According to AP, DeSantis remains a strong contender, but other replacements may also be considered if Hegseth’s nomination collapses.
