WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The Trump transition team may be looking to swap out another key Cabinet nominee.
Trump is considering selecting Florida Gov. Ron Desantis as his new pick for defense secretary, potentially replacing embattled Fox News host Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth continues to fight for his defense secretary nomination.
“We had great meetings with senators today,” Hegseth said.
President-elect Donald Trump is considering a plan to possibly replace the controversial Fox News host with Gov. Desantis.
Hegseth has faced allegations of past sexual and workplace misconduct.
He previously denied those and didn’t address them on Wednesday, but he says his meetings with senators are going well.
“Our founders are brilliant in this process of advise and consent. It’s been edifying,” Hegseth said.
Despite the allegations, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) says he wants to give him a chance.
“If the president wants him to be secretary of defense, then people ought to give him a shot,” Hawley said.
Not only are the allegations against Hegseth concerning for Democrats, but his qualifications are also being called into question.
“I don’t see much in his background that qualifies him to run, what is perhaps the biggest enterprise,” Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said.
When it comes to Desantis as a possible replacement, Sen. Kelly says he’s at least qualified.
“I think he has what you would look at on paper as the requisite kind of experience you would want in the secretary of defense,” Kelly said.
In a post on X, Hegseth shared a photo from his Army days and said he won’t back down.
He plans to meet with more senators this week.
