Donald Trump consults his advisers about Pete Hegseth’s future at the helm of the Pentagon, following Republican losses in the elections

President Donald Trump is consulting advisers and people he speaks with by phone about the future of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after the considerable losses suffered by Republicans in the midterm elections, sources told CBS News.

Trump has not yet made a decision on replacing Hegseth. Meanwhile, some White House advisers expect responsibility for the election result to also be assigned to Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Both played important roles in coordinating the war with Iran.

Vice President JD Vance directly blamed the conflict for the Republicans’ defeat: “The reason we lost is the war,” he wrote on X.

In this context, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is being mentioned as a possible successor to Hegseth. DeSantis could go through Senate confirmation before his term as governor ends on January 5. Democrats are already seeking Hegseth’s removal, and the pressure could intensify. The White House, however, says Trump has “full confidence” in the defense secretary.