US President Donald Trump said he is not considering firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The statement came on November 4 after US media reports about possible personnel changes in the Pentagon amid the Republican Party's defeat in the midterm congressional elections.
This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing the American president's comments to reporters.
Asked directly whether he plans to replace the Pentagon chief, Trump answered in the negative and praised his work.
“No, I think he is doing a very good job,” the US president said.
Journalists also asked about the possible appointment of Hegseth to the US Senate from Tennessee. This concerns the seat that will become vacant after Senator Marsha Blackburn assumes the office of state governor.
Trump admitted that Hegseth could be popular in the Senate, but emphasized that he knew nothing about preparations for such an appointment.
The president's statement came hours after a CBS News report, which cited several sources saying Trump discussed with advisers the continuation of Hegseth as defense secretary.
According to the news outlet, the president asked his inner circle for their opinion on the possible resignation of the Pentagon chief after the Republicans' defeat in the November 3 elections.
CBS News interlocutors also claimed that among the potential successors to Hegseth discussed was Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. At the same time, sources emphasized that no final decision on personnel changes had been made.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly previously told the network that Trump fully trusts Hegseth and supports his work as defense secretary.
The personnel discussions come amid a Democratic victory in the midterm elections, which resulted in the Republican Party losing its majority in both chambers of Congress.
Vice President JD Vance cited the war with Iran as one of the reasons for Republican electoral losses. Hegseth heads the Pentagon, which is responsible for conducting American military operations.
Thus, despite reports of a possible resignation, Trump publicly confirmed his support for the defense secretary. No official decisions on replacing Hegseth have been announced.
