Trump reportedly considering DeSantis as replacement nominee for defense secretary

[Dennis Donovan]

3. NBC News: Trump considers replacing Pete Hegseth, his embattled secretary of defense pick, with Ron DeSantis

NBC News - Trump considers replacing Pete Hegseth, his embattled secretary of defense pick, with Ron DeSantis

Trump's choice of Hegseth is now in jeopardy because of allegations of drinking and reports about his treatment of women.

Dec. 4, 2024, 7:43 AM EST / Updated Dec. 4, 2024, 7:53 AM EST
By Matt Dixon, Courtney Kube and Rebecca Shabad

President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing embattled defense secretary choice Pete Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to two sources familiar with the decision-making.

DeSantis is “very much in contention,” one source said.

NBC News reported Tuesday that Hegseth’s nomination is in jeopardy because as many as six GOP senators are wavering in their support of him.

The Wall Street Journal first reported overnight that DeSantis was under consideration for the Cabinet post.

Other possible contenders for the Pentagon top job include Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., according to two sources familiar with the decision-making.

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