Hegseth stays

Trump keeps Hegseth at the Pentagon after Iran war midterm fallout

President Trump said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is staying put and doing a great job, brushing aside replacement talk as Republicans face Iran war fallout and Democratic probes.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that Pete Hegseth would remain as Defense secretary (Secretary of War). He dismissed talk of a swap and said Hegseth is “doing a great job.”

The statement came as Republicans sorted through a rough midterm result and as Democrats prepared to use new power on Capitol Hill to scrutinize the Pentagon. Trump tied the Iran campaign to necessity, not politics, and left no daylight on his choice at Defense.

Hegseth has been a central figure in the eight-month war with Iran. In April he declared a “historic and overwhelming victory.” 

That record is now colliding with election math, Senate speculation in Tennessee, and a Democratic majority hungry for hearings.

Trump shuts down replacement talk

Trump’s Wednesday comments closed the public door on a personnel change at the top of the Pentagon. He did not hedge. Hegseth stays. The performance review from the commander in chief was blunt and favorable.

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