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President Donald Trump is reportedly considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a potential replacement for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Wall Street Journal and Politico first reported the possible change after midnight early Wednesday.
“Trump allies increasingly think Hegseth may not survive further scrutiny, according to people close to the president-elect’s team, which considers the next 48 hours to be crucial to his fate,” The Wall Street Journal reported.
“DeSantis was on an earlier list of potential defense secretary candidates that transition officials presented to the president. Trump ultimately went with Hegseth. But as Hegseth’s nomination has faltered, that list has been revived and DeSantis is again among the choices Trump is considering,” it added.
Politico’s report noted that a final decision has not yet been made “according to the two people, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal matters.”
The report added that, “Bringing DeSantis into the Trump administration fold could help the governor’s political prospects given that he is term-limited and scheduled to leave office in early 2027 when it was anticipated he could run for president again. It would lead to the ascension of Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who would be the first female governor of Florida and the first of Cuban descent.”
Trump and DeSantis have had a winding relationship in recent years. The president endorsed DeSantis in his past campaigns but later found himself attacking the Florida governor when they faced off during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.
DeSantis ultimately dropped out and supported Trump, with the two conservative leaders maintaining a positive rapport ahead of the November election.
The Trump campaign previously released a statement noting strong House support for Hegseth, though some concerns have arisen over past accusations against him.
“Pete Hegseth is a strong nominee to lead the Department of Defense. We had an excellent discussion about the need for America’s military to remain the best in the world,” Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso wrote.
“That means taking care of our service members, equipping them with the latest technology, and focusing on making our military the most lethal force on the planet. Pete pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power — not the current administration’s woke political agenda,” he added.
Tennessee Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty also posted his support for Hegseth in a series of posts on X.
“I had an outstanding meeting with Pete Hegseth, a decorated combat veteran who put his own life on the line for America,” he wrote.
