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Trump questions Hegseth's future as Pentagon chief, sources say

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 17:11 · Archive

President Trump is asking advisers whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should remain in his job following Republicans' recent electoral losses. The Atlantic reports that Hegseth is not well-liked at the White House and presents developments in the Iran war in 'rosy terms' to the president. One outside adviser told the magazine that 'Hegseth is good at telling the president what he wants to hear'. The publication also reports that Trump has been sounding out allies on their view of Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine, behaviour he is known to engage in before making personnel changes.

Some White House aides predict blame for GOP losses will be directed at officials overseeing the Iran war. Vice President JD Vance blamed the conflict itself for the defeat, stating 'the reason we lost is the war'. CBS News reports that Republican Ron DeSantis, Florida governor, is being floated as a possible replacement for Hegseth, with the suggestion that he could be confirmed during the lame-duck period.

The Pentagon rejected The Atlantic's reporting, with spokesman Sean Parnell telling The Independent that 'by every measurable metric, the outcome of the War Department's ongoing operations in Iran is decisive success'. The White House said Trump has 'full confidence' in Hegseth, though sources told CBS News the president has not yet decided whether to replace him.

Trump questions Hegseth's future as Pentagon chief, sources say
Image: Independent World

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How it is being reported

In this story: Pete Hegseth · Donald Trump · Dan Caine · JD Vance · Ron DeSantis · Brad Cooper · Iran · The Atlantic

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log