President-elect Donald Trump is considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a possible replacement for Pete Hegseth, his pick to run the Pentagon, according to people familiar with the discussions, amid Republican senators’ concerns over mounting allegations about the former Fox News host’s personal life.
Picking DeSantis, a 2024 GOP primary rival for the presidency, would amount to a stunning turn for Trump. But he would also find in the governor a well-known conservative with a service record who shares Trump’s—and Hegseth’s—view on culling what they see as “woke” policies in the military.
Trump allies increasingly think Hegseth might 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.DeSantis, who served as a Navy lawyer in Iraq and the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, 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, the people said.The discussions are in their early stages, one of the people said, adding that Trump has floated DeSantis’s name in casual conversations with guests at Mar-a-Lago, his private Florida club.Trump could decide not to choose DeSantis and select another replacement, if Hegseth’s nomination falls apart, the people said. Another potential defense-secretary candidate who has been discussed by Trump allies, according to people familiar with the matter, is Elbridge Colby, a former Pentagon official and ally of Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump is also considering Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) for the job, some of the people said.DeSantis was once seen as an acolyte of Trump but his decision to challenge the former president in the 2024 GOP primary began a conflict between them, with Trump casting DeSantis as disloyal. Trump easily prevailed in the primary and friends of the two have worked to repair the relationship.
@CoatiArielVeteran7mos7MO
Who knows what will happen with the Defense pick, but one thing is clear, Governor DeSantis is VASTLY more qualified for the job than Pete Hegseth on managment experience alone.
DeSantis has run the 3rd largest state in the nation. Hegseth has run a small non-profit.
@CrummySalamiConstitution7mos7MO
Trump should get the picks he wanted. Biden and Obama got their picks, no matter how insane they were.
@CoatiArielVeteran7mos7MO
But how do you know Gaetz is really the pick Trump wanted? Gaetz wasn't.
DeSantis is no better than Hegseth. His short military experience as a JAG doesn’t count as the decades of experience this position requires. He’s radical far right, has made many stupid decisions like the Disney matter and seems to always be embroiled in controversy.
@GoofyButterflyRepublican7mos7MO
I honestly don't understand why he doesn't pick Joni Ernst. She's an honorable vet, she would likely do a decent job and she would easily be confirmed in the Senate.
@BagelsBennyDemocrat7mos7MO
Trump sees Pete not gonna get past Senate. Trial Balloon but DeSantis wont do it. He wants to be President someday and staying clear of Trump is a wise move. Patel and RFK are next to get thumbs down.
@LlamaDaveGreen7mos7MO
Why on earth would DeSantis want that lol. It’s a complete demotion. They must have 0 faith Hegseth gets confirmed.
@LuminousSparrowForward7mos7MO
Bull **** . Trump will not bail on Pete. If they wilt on "anonymous sources" they will never get anyone through. Fight Fight Fight!!
Trump's people have reached an Apollo 13 moment with Hegseth.
"Let's approach this from a position of status. Is there anything about this guy that's actually good?"
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