US President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing his nominee for US Secretary of Defense. Instead of Pete Haggett, whom Trump previously nominated for the position, he may choose Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, according to UNN.
President-elect Donald Trump is considering Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a possible replacement for Pete Hagel, whom he has picked to lead the Pentagon, amid concerns among Republican senators about growing allegations about Hagel's personal life,
Details
According to interlocutors close to the president-elect's team, Trump is increasingly concerned that Hagseth may not be able to withstand further scrutiny in the Senate.
The publication notes that Desantis, who worked as a lawyer for the US Navy in Iraq at Guantanamo Bay, was on an earlier list of potential candidates for Secretary of Defense, but Trump supported Hagesse, but after many controversial issues arose around him, the list was again in the focus of the newly elected president, and Desantis was among the candidates.
“The discussions are at an early stage,” the sources said.
The newspaper's sources also note that Trump may not choose Desantis and find another replacement if the approval of Hagesse's nomination fails. Another potential candidate for Secretary of Defense is Albright Colby, a former Pentagon official and associate of Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Trump is also considering the candidacy of Senator Joni Ernst.
Desantis was once considered an aide to Trump, but his decision to challenge Trump in the presidential election led to a conflict between them, and Trump called Desantis disloyal,
Recall
US Army National Guard officer and TV host Pete Hagseth will be elected as Secretary of Defense.
Police released an investigation report into the 2017 case of alleged sexual assault by Pete Hagseth. The candidate for US Secretary of Defense denies the allegations, and Trump continues to support him.
Pete Hagseth, a US Army National Guard veteran and Fox News host nominated by Donald Trump to head the US Department of Defense, was labeled by a member of the military as a possible “domestic threat” because of a tattoo on his biceps that links him to white supremacist groups.