Trump weighs replacements for Defense Secretary Hegseth
Trump has denied planning a change, and Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth remains committed to serving until the end of the term.
President Donald Trump has asked some allies whom they would recommend to replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported, citing an NBC News report published on Thursday.
NBC News said the discussions took place in the run-up to Tuesday's midterm elections, citing two people familiar with the conversations.
The reported talks come as lawmakers from both parties have grown increasingly critical of Hegseth over the administration's military operations, transparency and Pentagon spending.
Some of Hegseth's upcoming travel has been put on hold, according to four people familiar with the matter, and two of them said the changes could be linked to Trump weighing a return to major military action in Iran or to political developments after the midterms.
Hegseth was also one of the few Cabinet members absent from the White House East Room on Tuesday night, when Trump and administration officials gathered to watch the election results, the report said.
A Defense Department official confirmed that Hegseth was in Washington but gave no further explanation for his absence.
Trump dismissed the speculation on Wednesday, telling reporters he was not planning to replace the Pentagon chief.
"No, he's doing a very good job," Trump said.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also defended Hegseth, saying the department would keep pursuing the president's agenda.
Hegseth, Parnell said, is fully committed to leading the Pentagon until the end of Trump's term.
Hegseth has faced sharp criticism over the handling of the war with Iran and has been pressed to provide greater transparency about military operations and their financial costs.
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky and a vocal critic of the conflict, introduced a resolution in September seeking Hegseth's impeachment.
Massie has said he would not reintroduce the articles of impeachment if Hegseth resigns.
Hegseth has led the Pentagon since he was confirmed as defense secretary in early 2025.
The White House has given no sign that a leadership change is imminent, even as the reported discussions add to questions about his future.
