Trump is considering replacing Hegseth and DeSantis to run the Pentagon, the Wall Street Journal reports

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering removing his nominee to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, and appointing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his place, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. discussions.

Hegseth’s nomination has been in trouble on Capitol Hill because of allegations about his personal life and work, and Trump allies continue to think Hegseth may not survive further scrutiny, the Journal reported. A combat veteran and Fox News host, Hegseth will need the support of Senate Republicans to win confirmation to the post.

Trump’s transition office and DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

So far, Trump’s top picks are out. Chad Chronister on Tuesday withdrew from consideration to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, just weeks after former attorney general Matt Gaetz stepped down as attorney general amid allegations of sex with a teenage girl.

DeSantis, who lost his bid for the Republican presidential nomination to Trump, was on an early list of potential defense secretary candidates but Trump decided to go with Hegseth, the Journal said.

DeSantis served in the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 2004 to 2010.

The Journal said Trump could decide not to nominate DeSantis and choose a successor, if Hegseth’s nomination falls through.

(Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington. Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta and Gnaneshwar Rajan; Editing by Kim Coghill and Scott Malone)

This article first appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat: Trump considers DeSantis for Defense Secretary, WSJ reports