President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing his embattled defense secretary choice, Pete Hegseth, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, according to sources familiar with the decision-making process. DeSantis is reportedly “very much in contention” for the position, with Trump directly speaking to him about the possibility. The nomination of Hegseth is in jeopardy due to wavering support from as many as six Republican senators, who have expressed concerns about his alleged mistreatment of women and drinking allegations, though Hegseth denies these claims. Other possible contenders for the Pentagon top job include Senators Joni Ernst and Bill Hagerty, as well as Rep. Mike Waltz. DeSantis challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, eventually dropping out and endorsing Trump. Unlike some of Trump’s other Cabinet picks, DeSantis has acknowledged that Trump lost the 2020 election. DeSantis is a Navy veteran who served in the Iraq War, while Ernst also served in the military and Hagerty served as U.S. ambassador to Japan. The decision regarding the defense secretary post is still ongoing, with multiple candidates being considered.
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