Trump is contemplating swapping out Pete Hegseth, his controversial defense secretary nominee, with Ron DeSantis

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President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing his defense secretary choice Pete Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, due to wavering support from GOP senators. DeSantis is reportedly in contention for the role, with Trump personally speaking to him about the position. Other potential candidates for defense secretary include Senators Joni Ernst and Bill Hagerty, as well as Rep. Mike Waltz. Concerns have been raised about allegations involving Hegseth’s behavior towards women and his drinking habits, which he has denied. DeSantis, a former Navy lieutenant commander who served in Iraq, challenged Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024 but ultimately endorsed him. Unlike many of Trump’s cabinet picks, DeSantis has acknowledged that Trump lost the 2020 election. Ernst, who served in the Army Reserve and National Guard, and Hagerty, a former U.S. ambassador to Japan, are also being considered for the role. Matt Dixon, Courtney Kube, and Rebecca Shabad are reporters covering the potential shake-up within the Trump administration, with Vaughn Hillyard also contributing to the coverage.

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