rki.news | Source: Anadolu Agency
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (AA) – US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he intends to keep Pete Hegseth as defense secretary despite receiving calls from people expressing dissatisfaction with his leadership.
“I have every intention to keep him,” Trump told ABC News, acknowledging that some people had contacted him to raise concerns about Hegseth.
Trump questioned the criticism, saying he did not understand why people were unhappy with the defense chief.
He also acknowledged that confirming a new defense secretary could become more difficult if Democrats take control of the Senate in January, giving them the power to reject nominees.
On Wednesday, Trump dismissed reports that he was considering replacing Hegseth, saying the defense secretary was “doing a very good job.”
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth remained fully committed to leading the department until the end of Trump’s term.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance said the Iran war was the reason Republicans lost the midterm elections. Democrats have criticized both the war and Hegseth’s handling of it.
Trump Says Hegseth Will Remain US Defense Secretary
