Trump backs Hegseth despite questions over Iran war losses

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 00:21 · Archive

Donald Trump said Pete Hegseth is doing a good job as Defence Secretary, but advisers suggest he could be replaced over the unpopular Iran war.

US President Donald Trump publicly backed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, saying he is 'doing a very good job', despite reports that some advisers see him as vulnerable. Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in midterm elections that reflected voter anger over the Iran war, which Trump has previously described Hegseth as championing. Trump told reporters he was not considering replacing Hegseth, whom he has described as a key proponent of the unpopular conflict.

One Trump adviser said Hegseth 'could be on the chopping block' because of the war. The adviser added: 'Someone is going to get blamed for this and you know it's not going to be him (Trump).' On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance publicly questioned whether the Iran war was worth it and said it had cost Republicans control of Congress. Trump's public backing of Hegseth contrasts with former president George Bush, who fired Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld the morning after the 2006 midterms when voter discontent over the Iraq war helped Democrats win Congress.

The Defence Department said Hegseth was 'one hundred per cent committed' to leading the Pentagon until the end of Trump's term, which ends on January 20, 2029. Hegseth has been a polarising figure in American politics and has made enemies even within the Republican Party.

How it is being reported

• Questions swirl about US Sec Def Hegseth's futureOne adviser to the Trump administration says Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth "could be on the chopping block" because of the ongoing war in Iran.Perth Now · 4 Nov, 23:55
• Questions swirl about US Sec Def Hegseth's futureOne adviser to the Trump administration says Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth "could be on the chopping block" because of the ongoing war in Iran.The West Australian · 4 Nov, 23:55

In this story: Pete Hegseth · Donald Trump · JD Vance · Democratic Party · Republican Party · United States · Iran

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