Hegseth's future draws ominous predictions from insiders after GOP losses, but Trump isn't budging yet
President Donald Trump publicly backed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, calling him 'a very good job' despite growing speculation about his future after Republicans' midterm losses.
The public support came a day after Democrats secured majorities in both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections, setting the stage for a shift in power on Capitol Hill in January. The Iran war and its economic fallout loomed large in the election, with Hegseth among the administration's most vocal advocates for the campaign.
Election Fallout
A White House official told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the election results 'would have looked very different without the Iran War.' The official predicted Trump would ultimately hold Hegseth, a former Fox News host, accountable, saying, 'that will play out in the lame duck.'
Hegseth is on the chopping block
Internal Doubts
An administration official said there were 'signs' Hegseth could be ousted, but added that 'Trump can turn on a dime.' The official said the possibility had been discussed for some time, though 'only Trump knows what he's gonna do.'
The official noted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's increased influence: 'It was clear Bessent became the go-to after Pete couldn't deliver an Iran victory,' referring to Bessent's leadership of Operation Economic Outcast sanctions campaign against Iran.
Controversial Proposals
Beyond the Iran war, Hegseth also championed a plan to livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. The proposal drew bipartisan backlash before Trump ultimately scrapped the livestream, while leaving Hasan's execution in place.
A foreign policy source with ties to Hegseth's orbit did not expect the secretary to remain in the job through the end of the year, suggesting Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie's impeachment push could create political difficulties for lawmakers.
Ongoing Tensions
Hegseth faced criticism over his prominent role in the Iran war, which has continued to generate political and economic fallout long after the White House's initial three-to-four-week timeline. He declared in March that the U.S. was carrying out 'our retribution' against Iran.
Although sustained U.S. strikes have ended, tensions with Tehran remain unresolved, with lingering concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities. Renewed U.S. military strikes against Iran remain under serious consideration by the White House.
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