President-elect Donald Trump is considering dropping his nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and nominating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis instead. Hegseth’s nomination has faced trouble on Capitol Hill due to allegations about his personal and professional life. DeSantis, a former Navy JAG officer, was previously on Trump’s list of potential defense secretary candidates. However, Trump may decide to choose another replacement if Hegseth’s nomination falls through.
Hegseth, a combat veteran and former Fox News host, has been accused of sexual assault and personal misconduct, mismanagement of funds, and intoxication on the job. DeSantis’ office and the Trump transition office did not provide immediate comment on the potential nomination switch.
The Trump transition team has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice for background checks and security clearances, after weeks of speculation about the handling of top federal job nominees. Two previous Trump picks for senior positions have dropped out amid scrutiny and allegations, including Chad Chronister for the Drug Enforcement Administration and former Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general.
Overall, there is uncertainty surrounding the nomination for Secretary of Defense, with Trump considering replacing Hegseth with DeSantis amidst concerns and allegations surrounding Hegseth’s background.
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