President-elect Donald Trump is contemplating changing embattled protection secretary alternative Pete Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in keeping with two sources acquainted with the decision-making.
DeSantis is “very a lot in rivalry,” one supply mentioned.
Another advised NBC News that Trump and DeSantis immediately spoke concerning the concern.
“Trump talked to the governor and desires him to do it,” a supply acquainted with the dialog advised NBC News on Tuesday evening.
NBC News reported Tuesday that Hegseth’s nomination is in jeopardy as a result of as many as six GOP senators are wavering of their help for him.
The Wall Street Journal first reported in a single day that DeSantis was into consideration for the Cabinet put up.
Other doable contenders for the Pentagon high job embody Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., in keeping with two sources acquainted with the decision-making.
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., whom Trump had chosen for White House nationwide safety adviser, can also be a doable decide for main the Pentagon, two different sources mentioned.
Senators with reservations about Hegseth have expressed concern over allegations involving him and drinking and stories about his treatment of women. Hegseth has denied that he mistreated ladies and didn’t reply when requested concerning the ingesting allegations Tuesday night.
For his half, DeSantis challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination on this 2024 cycle and dropped out of the race in January, simply days earlier than the New Hampshire main.
He instantly endorsed Trump regardless of the 2 feuding all through the marketing campaign and the previous president nicknaming DeSantis “Ron DeSanctimonious.” Unlike a lot of Trump’s different picks for his future Cabinet, DeSantis has stated that Trump lost the 2020 election, whereas others have echoed the president-elect’s feedback that it was stolen.
DeSantis was within the Navy and served within the Iraq War, ultimately incomes the rank of lieutenant commander.
Ernst, in the meantime, served within the Army Reserve and Army National Guard, and finally held the rank of lieutenant colonel. She additionally served within the Iraq War.
Hagerty has no navy expertise. Before coming to Congress in 2021, served as U.S. ambassador to Japan in the course of the first Trump administration.
Vaughn Hillyard contributed.
