Trump gave a similar answer to reporters on Wednesday, saying he was not considering replacing Hegseth and that "he's doing a very good job." Reports say otherwise: they describe Trump asking advisers whether Hegseth should stay, and say he has not decided. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump "has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth." Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth will not be "deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points or launch phony investigations where no wrongdoing exists" and is "100 percent committed to leading the department until the end of President Trump's term in office."

The administration is also dealing with the question of why the election went badly. Vice President JD Vance wrote on X on Wednesday, "The reason we lost is the war," referring to the Iran war, which Democrats have long criticized along with Hegseth's handling of it. Reports say some White House aides expect blame to reach Adm. Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Both helped shape guidance on the war.

Trump also spoke about timing. He said confirming a new defense secretary would be easier before Democrats take the Senate in January, because after that they would have the majority needed to vote down a nominee. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been floated as a successor. One source said he could be confirmed in the lame-duck session and take the post when his term as governor ends on January 5, 2027.

Trump was asked about the open Tennessee Senate seat of Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn. He said Hegseth, a former Army National Guard major, could be "very popular" if he ran, but that he had "not heard that at all" about any interest. One report says Hegseth is quietly campaigning for the seat.

Democrats were calling for Hegseth's impeachment before the election, and those efforts could gain momentum once they hold majorities in both chambers. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, has called for impeaching both Hegseth and Trump over the war. Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, alleging violations of the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Another account describes an ultimatum from Massie: resign or face an impeachment vote next week. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats are prioritizing economic issues, adding, "The American people don't want us to get even." Democrats have said they plan to investigate the Iran war, military personnel decisions and other Pentagon operations once their majority takes office.

Hegseth's tenure has included a string of departures and controversies. Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon's top military planner, was dismissed as preparations were under way for possible renewed strikes on Iran. Others removed include Gen. Charles Q. Brown, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. By one count, nearly two dozen senior officers have left. The controversies include "Signalgate," in which journalist Jeffrey Goldberg gained access to a secure group chat. They also include a "double tap" airstrike in the Caribbean that killed nine people and two survivors and drew accusations of violating the Geneva Conventions, and a theatrical speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. One report says the departures and the war's strain on military readiness have left Hegseth with few allies against a potential impeachment. Unnamed high-ranking officers have used the words "embarrassing" and "below our institution."

Anthony Scaramucci predicted that Hegseth "may not survive the week" and is "way under by year-end." Prediction markets on the question reflect speculation rather than confirmed personnel decisions. Separately, an unconfirmed report says Secretary of State Marco Rubio is considering resigning after the midterm loss to prepare for a 2028 presidential run. An unnamed ally said it "makes sense for him to leave the administration," since he cannot run while tied to an administration that could damage his prospects.