Trump Keeps Hegseth as Congress Eyes Cabinet Power

President Trump said Thursday morning he has “every intention” of keeping Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his Cabinet, even as a change in control of Congress puts Hegseth’s position under new political pressure. Trump acknowledged it would be easier to confirm a replacement before Democrats take control next year. Cabinet power remains in the hands of the president, but Senate votes determine whether a new nominee can take the job.

Who Controls the Appointment

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) told CNN he planned to call for a vote to impeach Hegseth. On Wednesday night, Massie wrote on X, “There is one contingency in which I won't reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns.” By Thursday morning, he described his effort as “a much gentler version” of what Democrats might pursue once they control Congress, naming hearings and trials.

Massie also tied the timing of any Cabinet change to the Senate’s confirmation math. “If Trump is going to replace appointees like Hegseth, he should do it while he can still get the replacements confirmed in the Senate,” he wrote. Cabinet nominees need a simple majority. The Senate then had a 53-47 Republican majority, under which Trump could afford to lose up to three Republican lawmakers on a confirmation vote.

The Election Changes the Leverage

Democrats’ midterm wins gave them control of the House and Senate, and they would take control of Congress next year. The article described the result as a sweeping victory, citing historic wins in Texas, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan and Maine, among other battleground states. Democrats had secured 54 Senate seats and could possibly gain one more in Alaska.

That incoming majority changes the conditions around Hegseth’s appointment, but the immediate dispute is still being conducted through congressional procedures and presidential decisions. Massie is calling for an impeachment vote; he says Democrats may hold hearings and trials after taking control. Trump, meanwhile, has said he intends to keep Hegseth and has also pointed to the confirmation window for any replacement.

Questions About Hegseth’s Future

Trump told ABC News's Jonathan Karl he had received calls from people concerned about Hegseth, but said he didn't “understand why.” On Wednesday, Trump said Hegseth was “doing a very good job.” He also said Hegseth would be “very popular” if he replaced Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in Congress. Blackburn chose to run for Tennessee governor instead of seeking reelection.

CBS News reported Wednesday that Trump had asked advisers and allies whether Hegseth should remain in his role after the midterms. Trump said Wednesday he was not considering replacing the Defense secretary. The Hill previously reported that Hegseth was interested in Blackburn's open Tennessee Senate seat and had campaigned behind the scenes. Two sources familiar with the matter told The Hill at the end of October that Hegseth had expressed interest; a third person said he was campaigning behind the scenes, and another called his interest an open secret. Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson denied those reports as “beltway gossip by anonymous sources.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who was expected to become Speaker when Democrats took control, appeared to refer to Hegseth’s possible departure in a Thursday morning post: “Why is Pete Hegseth still around?”