Trump backs Hegseth as questions grow over Pentagon chief’s future

President Donald Trump defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, saying he was doing “a very good job” as speculation continued over whether he would remain in the post after Republicans’ heavy midterm losses.

Asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, Trump said he was not. His public support came a day after Democrats won majorities in both chambers of Congress, setting up a change in control of Capitol Hill in January.

The Iran war and its economic effects were major issues in the election. Hegseth had been one of the administration’s most outspoken supporters of the campaign, but current and former officials have continued to question his political future.

A White House official said Tuesday that the election results “would have looked very different without the Iran War” and predicted Trump would eventually hold Hegseth responsible. “That will play out in the lame duck,” the official said.

“Hegseth is on the chopping block,” a former White House staffer said later that day. Another administration official pointed to “signs” that Hegseth could be removed, while cautioning that Trump’s thinking can change quickly. The possibility had been discussed for some time, the official said, but “only Trump knows what he’s gonna do.”

One source said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had become the administration’s central figure on Iran after Hegseth failed to deliver a victory. Bessent led the sanctions effort known as Operation Economic Outcast.

Hegseth also drew criticism for supporting a plan to livestream the execution by firing squad of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major who killed 13 people and wounded 32 at Fort Hood in 2009. The proposal faced opposition from both parties. Trump later scrapped the livestream plan but left Hasan’s execution in place.

A foreign policy source familiar with Hegseth’s circle said they did not expect him to remain in the job through the end of the year. The source also said Republican Rep. Thomas Massie’s impeachment effort could put lawmakers considering 2028 reelection campaigns in the position of taking what the source called “a pro-Hegseth vote.”

Hegseth has faced growing criticism over his prominent role in the Iran war, whose political and economic consequences have lasted well beyond the White House’s initial estimate of three to four weeks. In March, he defended the campaign, saying the United States was carrying out “our retribution” against Iran.

Although sustained U.S. strikes have ended, tensions with Tehran remain unresolved. Concerns persist over Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, as well as the possibility of renewed military action. Sources said further U.S. strikes remain under serious consideration at the White House.

That prospect could make an immediate leadership change at the Pentagon less likely. Replacing the defense secretary while the administration weighs military operations could create uncertainty at a sensitive time. Hegseth, meanwhile, has shown he is willing to act quickly on Trump’s military directives.

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth remained “100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump’s term in office.”

Parnell said Hegseth would not be deterred by what he described as partisan attacks or investigations without evidence of wrongdoing. He added that the department had followed the law and that Hegseth would continue to support the Constitution, lead U.S. troops and carry out Trump’s agenda.

Democrats have indicated that Hegseth will be a focus of the incoming Congress. Before the election, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would “run Pete Hegseth out of town” if they won the House. Party members have also discussed investigations into the Iran war and Pentagon leadership, and have not ruled out impeachment.

Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, has separately vowed to bring his impeachment resolution to a vote during the lame-duck session if Hegseth is still in office.

As defense secretary, Hegseth has pushed wide-ranging changes to military policy and culture. They include barring transgender service members, ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and setting the same combat fitness standards for men and women. He has also pursued a Pentagon overhaul, including consolidating Army commands, reducing senior military leadership and expanding the use of artificial intelligence and advanced weapons.

His tenure has also been dogged by controversy. Sensitive details about planned strikes on Houthi militants were shared in Signal chats that inadvertently included a journalist. Internal disputes, leak investigations and the departures of several senior aides have added to the scrutiny. Trump, however, has repeatedly stood by Hegseth.

The pressure on Hegseth recalls an earlier clash between an unpopular war and the political fallout from midterm elections. On Nov. 8, 2006, President George W. Bush announced that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was resigning, a day after Republicans suffered major losses amid rising criticism of the Iraq War.