A day after his party’s midterm losses, the president made clear he is not looking to shake up his Pentagon leadership. He also weighed in on speculation about a possible new role for his defense chief.
President Donald Trump praised Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, saying he has no plans to replace him, a day after acknowledging that the war with Iran played a role in Republicans’ midterm defeat.
What did Trump say about Pete Hegseth?
Asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, Trump said no and that he thinks Hegseth is doing a very good job. The comment came as some critics have called for changes at the Pentagon after the election.
Reporters also asked whether Trump would want Pete Hegseth to fill the Senate seat of Marsha Blackburn, who was elected governor of Tennessee. Trump said Hegseth would be very popular if he did that but that he had not heard about it.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Hegseth. Hegseth has not publicly commented on the Senate speculation.
Why is Pete Hegseth’s name tied to Tennessee?
Hegseth lives in Tennessee, making him a potential candidate for the seat. Tennessee is a solidly Republican state, and any appointee would be expected to run in a special election.
When Blackburn becomes governor in January, she will be able to appoint a replacement to serve until a special election, under Tennessee law. That gives Blackburn significant influence over who holds the seat.
Blackburn, who was endorsed by Trump, became the first woman elected governor of Tennessee when she defeated Democrat Jerri Green on Election Day. The race was closer than many expected, with only a few thousand votes separating the candidates when it was called, according to reports.
How did the Iran war affect the midterms?
Trump acknowledged a day earlier that the war with Iran contributed to his party’s losses. Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate. The losses marked a major setback for the president two years into his second term.
Voters cited high fuel prices, which rose sharply after the conflict began, as a major concern. Inflation reached 3.7% in September, driven largely by a jump in gasoline prices. The cost of living was a central issue for voters across the country.
As the head of the military during the conflict, Pete Hegseth has been one of the most visible faces of the administration’s war effort. His department was renamed the Department of War under an executive order in 2025, though Congress has not formally changed the name.
What challenges does Pete Hegseth face?
With Democrats taking control of Congress in January, Pete Hegseth is likely to face tougher questions from lawmakers about the war, its costs and the Pentagon’s management.
Democrats have vowed to use their new subpoena power to investigate the administration, and the Pentagon is likely to be a focus. Committee hearings could put the war’s strategy and spending under close review.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, has faced criticism during his tenure, including over the sharing of sensitive military plans in a group chat in 2025. Supporters credit him with pushing to rebuild military readiness.
What comes next?
Blackburn has not publicly said whom she might appoint to her Senate seat, and Trump said he had not heard of any plan involving Hegseth. Any appointment would come after she takes office in January.
For now, Pete Hegseth keeps the backing of the president as the administration adjusts to a divided government. His future may depend on how the war and the new Congress unfold.
