US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he is doing a “very good job” amid growing speculation about his future in the administration following Republican losses in the midterm elections.
Asked by reporters whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, Trump dismissed the possibility, praising his performance and leadership.
However, reports suggest that Hegseth could still face pressure as Republicans assess the reasons behind their electoral setbacks, particularly amid growing public dissatisfaction over the ongoing war with Iran.
A Trump adviser indicated that Hegseth could become a potential target of criticism over the conflict, suggesting that someone within the administration may be held responsible for the political consequences.
Trump has previously described Hegseth as one of the leading supporters of military action against Iran, recalling that the defence secretary had advocated preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance recently questioned whether the war with Iran had been worth its political and financial costs, linking the conflict to Republican electoral losses.
The White House referred media inquiries to Trump’s public comments, while the Pentagon maintained that Hegseth remained fully committed to serving as defence secretary until the end of Trump’s presidential term in January 2029.
Hegseth has remained a controversial figure in US politics, facing criticism from both Democrats and some members of his own Republican Party.
Earlier this year, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against him, accusing the defence secretary of abusing his authority by initiating military action against Iran without congressional approval.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis also warned that Hegseth could face serious political consequences, arguing that his strained relationship with lawmakers was complicating the administration’s efforts to secure approval for a $1.5 trillion defence spending package.
Tillis suggested that lawmakers should reconsider whether Hegseth was the right person to negotiate defence priorities with Congress.
Democrats, meanwhile, have pledged to investigate Hegseth’s management of the Pentagon, including his handling of the Iran conflict and the removal of senior military officials, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
His policies concerning Ukraine and US military strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters could also face congressional scrutiny. Some Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns that certain military operations could constitute war crimes.
Tensions between Hegseth and lawmakers have also extended to personal disputes. Last year, he sought action against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly and five other lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds urged US service members not to follow illegal orders. Hegseth accused the lawmakers of sedition.
Democratic Congressman Adam Smith, who is expected to lead the House Armed Services Committee next year, has promised closer congressional oversight of the Pentagon, particularly regarding the Iran war and the military’s political independence.
A source familiar with the discussions said tensions surrounding Hegseth had also featured in White House deliberations over possible replacements, with officials considering the need for a defence secretary who could distance the administration from issues likely to face Democratic investigations.
However, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended Hegseth, saying he would continue implementing Trump’s agenda and that the department had acted within the law. He also rejected what he described as politically motivated investigations.
Speculation about Hegseth’s future has also included the possibility of his appointment to the US Senate seat being vacated by Senator Marsha Blackburn, who won election as Tennessee’s next governor.
Blackburn’s Senate term has four years remaining, meaning Hegseth could potentially be appointed to the vacant position without contesting an election.
Asked whether he would support Hegseth’s appointment, Trump said the defence secretary could be popular in the Senate but added that he had not heard any formal proposal regarding the possibility.
Trump has repeatedly praised Hegseth and given him considerable freedom to reshape the Pentagon.
However, the president publicly disagreed with the defence secretary last month after halting a proposal to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan.
