As President-elect Donald Trump works to assemble his Cabinet, questions surrounding the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense have sparked discussions about a potential replacement: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Sources close to the Trump transition team confirm that DeSantis is being seriously considered if Hegseth’s nomination falters.
Hegseth, a former Army veteran and Fox News personality, is facing mounting opposition on Capitol Hill. Reports indicate that at least six to seven GOP senators may oppose his confirmation, placing his nomination in jeopardy. Key Republican senators, including incoming Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker and Senator Joni Ernst, have yet to commit their support, signaling a tough road ahead.
READ: Alabama Sen. Tuberville: Pete Hegseth, The Change Agent America Needs To Clean Up DOD
Hegseth has addressed the controversy surrounding his nomination, taking to social media to denounce his critics.
“I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers. The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents,” Hegseth posted on X. “They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump—and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth. Our warriors never back down, & neither will I.”
Multiple sources, including those close to the President-elect, confirm that Trump and DeSantis met Tuesday in Mar-a-Lago and had direct conversations about stepping in as a backup candidate for Defense Secretary.
DeSantis, a Navy veteran and former JAG officer, was previously on the shortlist for the role but was passed over in favor of Hegseth.
READ: Trump Reportedly Considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis To Replace Pentagon Pick Pete Hegseth
“There is real interest from both sides,” said a source familiar with the discussions. “If Pete withdraws or his nomination fails, Governor DeSantis is viewed as a strong, viable candidate.”
DeSantis has not publicly commented on the potential nomination, but reports suggest that he has engaged in preliminary discussions about the role. The Florida governor has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s agenda and has previously outlined plans for reshaping the Pentagon, including eliminating “woke” policies and prioritizing mission-focused reforms.
With the Republican majority in the Senate razor-thin, Trump’s nominees face increased scrutiny. Hegseth’s confirmation challenges are indicative of broader concerns within the GOP about contentious appointments. Despite the hurdles, GOP leaders are eager to see Trump’s Cabinet in place quickly to ensure his administration can hit the ground running.
READ: James Carville Has Outrageous Theory On Trump’s Nominees
“If the nominees come prepared and answer the tough questions, they have a good shot at getting through,” said one Republican strategist.
As Hegseth continues to meet with key senators to shore up support, the possibility of DeSantis stepping in looms larger. Whether Hegseth can overcome the mounting opposition or DeSantis is tapped to fill the role, the decision will significantly shape Trump’s early agenda and defense policy priorities.
For now, the focus remains on Capitol Hill, where Hegseth’s fate will be determined in the coming days. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Mar-a-Lago, where Trump is carefully considering his next move should Hegseth’s confirmation bid collapse.
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