Trump Considers Firing Defense Secretary Hegseth After Midterm Losses

Donald Trump is reportedly considering the removal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following significant Republican losses in the midterm elections, where Democrats won majorities in both the House and Senate. While the president publicly denied these reports and stated Hegseth is doing a "very good job," sources indicate he has questioned advisers about the secretary's future. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been mentioned as a potential replacement.

Internal GOP tensions have risen as Vice President JD Vance attributed the election defeat to the war in Iran. Simultaneously, Representative Thomas Massie is pushing for Hegseth's impeachment during the upcoming lame-duck session. Massie's articles of impeachment, originally introduced in September, charge Hegseth with violating the 1973 War Powers Resolution and ignoring congressional authority during the Iran conflict. The charges also include allegations that Hegseth ordered extrajudicial killings during counternarcotics operations near Venezuela.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Democrats intend to force Hegseth out of office once they assume the majority. While Speaker Mike Johnson previously delayed a vote on the impeachment in September, Massie intends to force a vote during the first week of the House's return.