President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing Pete Hegseth as his choice for defense secretary with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to sources familiar with the decision-making. DeSantis is said to be “very much in contention” for the position. The nomination of Hegseth is reportedly in jeopardy due to wavering support from GOP senators amid concerns about his conduct and treatment of women. Other possible contenders for the role include Senators Joni Ernst and Bill Hagerty, as well as Rep. Mike Waltz.
DeSantis, who served in the Navy and the Iraq war, previously ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 but dropped out and endorsed Trump. Unlike some of Trump’s other Cabinet picks, DeSantis acknowledged that Trump lost the 2020 election.
Ernst, a former lieutenant colonel in the Army, and Hagerty, who served as U.S. ambassador to Japan, are also being considered for the defense secretary post. Reports suggest that DeSantis, Ernst, Hagerty, and Waltz are all in the running for the position, with Trump leaning towards DeSantis as a potential replacement for Hegseth.
The Trump transition team and DeSantis’ office have not responded to requests for comment on these developments. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story from NBC News.
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