President-elect Trump is rumored to be considering replacing former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense candidate with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican).
According to Wall Street Journal coveragePresident Trump is considering another Cabinet shakeup as Republican senators are concerned about sexual assault allegations against Hegseth.
If he chooses DeSantis, it would be a shocking development for the president-elect.
The Florida governor ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, and the two men exchanged insults during the campaign. Still, the magazine noted that DeSantis is a prominent conservative who served in the military.
Hegseth faces intense scrutiny from Republican senators following new revelations over the weekend, including allegations of alcohol abuse and past sexual misconduct.
He is scheduled to meet with the House Republican Investigation Committee on Wednesday. House members have no say in the confirmation process, but the move could be seen as a pressure tactic to support the former “Fox & Friends Weekend” host.
Hegseth held his third meeting with senators and brought along his wife, former Fox News producer Jennifer Cunningham Rouchet.
The paper's report came shortly after senior Trump adviser Jason Miller said the team had no concerns about Hegseth's selection despite the controversial report.
DeSantis tried to compensate for Trump's winning the Republican nomination, but when his term ends in 2027, he will not be eligible to run for governor again.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), who was originally nominated by President Trump to be attorney general but withdrew amid allegations of sexual misconduct, has emerged as a potential candidate to replace DeSantis at the end of his term. I am doing it.
The Hill has reached out to Trump's transition team for comment.
