Allies of United States President-elect Donald Trump, involved in the American government’s transition process, have been compiling a list of alternative candidates to serve as Secretary of Defense in recent days. According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as the top pick appears “destined to implode.”
Among the names under consideration to replace Hegseth, if that happens, is Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, seen as willing to take the job, according to sources.
Ernst recently spent several days at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where he discussed the president-elect’s other Cabinet picks as well as plans related to the “Department of Government Efficiency,” according to social media posts.
Two additional sources said Florida governor and Trump’s former presidential rival Ron DeSantis was mentioned by name.
DeSantis’ name was on the initial list of defense secretary candidates presented to Trump, according to a person familiar.
Other Trump allies are considering Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty for the job, according to a fourth source. People close to Trump have been waiting a long time to put the senator in a good administrative position.
THE CNN contacted representatives for Ernst, DeSantis and Hagerty.
People involved in planning Trump’s transition to the Pentagon began considering other options after the first allegations about Hegseth surfaced, driven largely by concerns that he could face a problem similar to that of Matt Gaetz.
Members of Trump’s transition were surprised by allegations of sexual assault against Hegseth.
Trump’s new chief of staff, Susie Wiles, asked Hegseth to reveal details of the allegations after they became public, as well as any other potential surprises.
However, multiple sources said Hegseth was not completely transparent.
The transition team is aware that several Republican senators are concerned about allegations Hegseth has faced, including one of sexual assault that he denied and allegations of misconduct when Hegseth ran veterans advocacy organizations.
Some involved in planning the transition are concerned that the allegations against Hegseth will continue to pile up and could lead to him withdrawing his name.
Trump advisers believe choosing a senator to fill the role would reduce contentious nomination fights and allow the president-elect’s team to focus on the confirmation process for key law enforcement and intelligence roles, including Kash Patel for director from the FBI and Tulsi Gabbard to director of National Intelligence.
A source close to Trump and Hegseth rejected the notion that anyone was being seriously considered for the job, or that there was any kind of official list of replacement candidates.
Top Senate Republicans recently said they believe Hegseth must pass an FBI background check and confirmation hearing before they are ready to vote in favor, comments that coincided with the transition’s announcement that he has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Justice that would unblock the government’s vetting process.
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This content was originally published in Trump’s team considers replacing Fox News presenter as Secretary of Defense, says source on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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