Trump privately asks advisers whether Hegseth should stay, even as he publicly backs him

President Trump has been calling advisers and consulting aides around him about whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should remain in his job — even as he stood before reporters Wednesday and insisted Hegseth is doing a 'very good job.' The private conversations, confirmed to CBS News by multiple sources familiar with the matter, began after Republicans suffered major losses in Tuesday's midterm elections, surrendering their majorities in both the House and Senate.

No, I think he's doing a very good job.— President Donald Trump, when asked Wednesday whether he was considering replacing Hegseth

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly reinforced that line in a statement, saying Trump has 'full confidence in Secretary Hegseth' and praising military operations in Iran and Venezuela along with Hegseth's efforts to reverse what she described as the Biden Pentagon's prioritizing of 'DEI and woke ideology.' But the public reassurances have not stopped the internal deliberations, according to sources.

The Iran war sits at the heart of the post-election reckoning. Vice President JD Vance went public Wednesday with a lengthy statement on X placing the blame for the GOP's defeat squarely on the conflict.

The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night.— Vice President JD Vance, in a post on X on Wednesday

Vance laid out four recommendations for the Republican Party: end the war, focus on inflation and living costs, 'Put America First,' and 'change our relationship' with Israel, according to Mediaite. Trump, when asked about Vance's statement, said it was 'probably' true that the war driving up gas and other costs contributed to some Republican losses — but he said he would 'do it again.'

Inside the White House, some aides have already begun pointing fingers elsewhere. According to CBS News, several aides predicted that Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — both of whom played significant roles in guidance on the Iran war — could absorb much of the blame for the midterm losses.

As for who might replace Hegseth if Trump moves in that direction, one source told CBS News that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been floated as a possible candidate. The logic offered: DeSantis could be confirmed by the Senate during the lame-duck period and assume the role when his gubernatorial term expires on January 5. Rep. Byron Donalds won Tuesday's Florida gubernatorial race, one of the few Republican bright spots of the night.

Trump was also asked Wednesday about the prospect of Hegseth filling the Senate seat that will be vacated by Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is set to become the state's governor. 'I actually think he'd be very popular if he did that,' Trump said, 'but I haven't heard that at all.'

The political pressure on Hegseth is not new. Democrats had already been pursuing impeachment efforts before the election, and with the party now holding strong majorities in both chambers, that effort is expected to intensify. No final decision on Hegseth's future has been made, according to sources.

Why it matters — The private deliberations over Hegseth's future — set against Trump's public backing — signal that the Iran war's political fallout could reshape the Pentagon's leadership and the administration's direction heading into a newly Democratic Congress.

Sources differ on Whether the Iran war caused Republican midterm losses: Vance says 'the reason we lost is the war' and calls it already lost. (mediaite.com) vs Trump says it's 'probably' true the war's effect on costs hurt Republicans, but says he would 'do it again.' (mediaite.com)

Reported by cbsnews.com, rawstory.com, mediaite.com