President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing Pete Hegseth, his controversial pick to lead the Pentagon, with one-time 2024 rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, people familiar with the discussions told The Wall Street Journal Tuesday.
The move comes as Hegseth, a 44-year-old Army veteran and former Fox News personality, faces increasing scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement.
The defense secretary post requires Senate confirmation and Hegseth faces an increasingly uphill battle to win over GOP members with concerns about his past.
As many as six Senate Republicans have expressed reservations about confirming Hegseth for the top Pentagon role, according to NBC News.
DeSantis, a former Navy Judge Advocate General, was on a short-list of potential defense secretary candidates presented to Trump by transition officials before he went with Hegseth, according to the Wall Street Journal.
This is a developing story. Check back for more.
