President Donald Trump is reportedly considering firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the wake of catastrophic Republican midterm election losses, according to sources familiar with White House discussions.
Multiple officials told CBS News that Trump has consulted advisers about replacing Hegseth, with some administration insiders pointing fingers at top military leaders for the party’s electoral collapse. Admiral Brad Cooper of U.S. Central Command and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine have emerged as particular targets due to their prominent roles in guiding the Iran conflict.
Mixed Signals From the White House
Despite the private deliberations, Trump publicly denied any plans to oust Hegseth during a Wednesday press briefing. “I think he’s doing a very good job,” the president told reporters. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly reinforced that message, stating Trump maintains “full confidence in Secretary Hegseth.”
The conflicting accounts come as Republicans grapple with staggering midterm defeats that saw Democrats gain an estimated 54 Senate seats and flip over 35 House districts. Exit polling suggests voter anger over the Iran war and soaring gas prices drove the Democratic wave.
Midterm Voters Deliver Stunning Rebuke
A CNN exit poll revealed 87% of voters expressed significant concern about fuel costs, while 74% said the Iran conflict substantially influenced their ballots. Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance have acknowledged the war’s political damage, with the president calling it “largely true” that the conflict contributed to GOP losses.
The electoral bloodbath has intensified scrutiny on Hegseth, whom House Democrats had already targeted for potential impeachment before their sweeping victories. With strengthened congressional majorities, Democratic efforts to remove the defense secretary could gain momentum.
As the White House weighs potential personnel changes, the administration faces mounting pressure to recalibrate its national security strategy and address economic concerns that clearly resonated with voters.
Source: www.breitbart.com โ https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/05/report-trump-asking-advisers-about-firing-pete-hegseth/