Presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addresses a crowd on June 2, 2023 in Gilbert, South Carolina.
Sean Rayford | Getty Images
President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegers with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to two sources familiar with the decision.
One source said DeSantis was “very controversial.”
nbc news report Hegseth’s nomination was in jeopardy on Tuesday as as many as six Republican senators wavered in their support.
The Wall Street Journal first reported overnight that DeSantis was being considered for a Cabinet position.
Other possible contenders for the top Pentagon job include Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., according to two sources familiar with the decision-making.
Two other sources said Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., whom Trump appointed as White House national security adviser, may also be chosen to lead the Pentagon.
Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegers meets with Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville in the Russell Senate Office Building on Monday, December 2, 2024.
Bill Clark | Chongqing Roll Call Company | Getty Images
Senators with reservations about Heggs express concerns Allegations involving him and drinking and reported on his treatment of women. Hegseth denies that he abused women and did not respond when asked about the drinking allegations on Tuesday night.
DeSantis, for his part, launched a challenge to Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2024 cycle and dropped out of the race in January, just days before the New Hampshire primary.
Although the two had feuded throughout the campaign and DeSantis was nicknamed “Ron DeSantimonius” by the former president, he immediately endorsed Trump. Unlike many of Trump’s other future cabinet picks, DeSantis says Trump lost 2020 electionwhile others echoed the president-elect’s comments that it was stolen.
DeSantis served in the Navy and fought in the Iraq War, eventually achieving the rank of lieutenant.
Meanwhile, Ernst served in the Army Reserves and Army National Guard, eventually achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. She also served in the Iraq War.
Hagerty had no military experience. Before entering Congress in 2021, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan during the first Trump administration.
