Hegseth vows to stay as Defense Secretary as Republicans blame Iran war for midterm losses

Republicans look for someone to blame

Republicans lost the midterm elections held on Tuesday, 3 November, and Democrats took control of Congress by large margins. Some prominent Republican lawmakers had already been pushing for President Donald Trump to replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his handling of the Iran war and his purge of top generals, and those calls have grown since the defeat. Republican insiders told CNN and The Washington Post that Hegseth is feeling the heat over criticism that the war he supports cost the party the elections. Vice President JD Vance has distanced himself from the conflict, questioning whether it was worth the cost. Vance put it bluntly on X:

“The reason we lost is the war.”

Trump acknowledged on Wednesday, 4 November, that the war had affected the midterms, saying voters were frustrated that the eight-month conflict had pushed gas and diesel prices sharply higher.

Hegseth vows to stay

Hegseth released a video message on Thursday, 5 November, in which he defended his tenure and vowed to fight for his job. Standing in front of the Pentagon beside a sign reading "Department of War," he said the department would "finish what we have started." On the Pentagon steps he struck a similar tone and said he would not give ground.

“Just like the president, we don't back down, and that especially applies now.”

He tied the message to Trump's America First agenda and to what he called the department's Peace Through Strength agenda, describing the next few months and years as critical for the department and the republic. He has also promised to keep pushing his anti-DEI agenda at the Pentagon. He has been accused of not being forthright about damage to US bases in the Middle East and about the severity of troop casualties. He has also purged dozens of high ranking military officers and denied promotions to others on dubious grounds.

Speculation about a Tennessee Senate seat

Marsha Blackburn was elected governor of Tennessee on Tuesday, 3 November, and will resign from the Senate in January, after which she will appoint her successor. Speculation that Hegseth could take the seat has intensified in recent months, but two people with knowledge of the situation said Trump has not spoken to Blackburn about appointing him. A Republican operative with ties to Blackburn said she is not considering Hegseth for the role. A person close to Hegseth said he is not interested in the seat. Asked about the idea on Wednesday, Trump said Hegseth would be very popular if he took the seat, but said he had not heard about plans for it. Hegseth bought a home outside Nashville four years ago but has not been active in Tennessee politics since.

Trump's support and the impeachment outlook

Trump has discussed Hegseth's performance with friends and advisers, according to two people with knowledge of those conversations, while publicly maintaining that he is pleased with him. On Thursday he said Hegseth has done a fantastic job and that he has some interesting things, without saying what he meant. Asked about the war, Trump told reporters on Wednesday:

“The Iran thing we had to do, and we continue to do it.”

Trump has also expressed frustration that the conflict with Iran has not been resolved. Insiders describe the situation at the Defense Department as very dynamic at the moment, with knives out. Hegseth is expected to face impeachment proceedings once the newly elected Democratic majority takes control of the House, and one report says a likely congressional impeachment effort could begin in the coming weeks.