Exclusive: The White House is looking to replace Pete Hegseth as defense secretary

[ruet]

Source: NPR

The White House has begun the process of looking for a new secretary of defense, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.

NPR has reached out to the White House for comment.

This comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continues to find himself mired in controversy. NPR has also confirmed with the same official that Hegseth shared details ahead of last month's Yemen strikes with his wife and brother in a Signal chat on his personal phone, minutes after being updated by a senior U.S. military official. The news of the second Signal group chat about the mission was first reported by The New York Times.

In March, Hegseth shared details about action against Houthi targets in Yemen in a Signal chat with top White House officials that accidentally included a journalist.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/21/nx-s1-5371312/trump-white-house-pete-hegseth-defense-department

[MontanaMama]

1. The damage Hegseth has done to our national security

can't be undone. However, I guess it is good to send him packing before he can do more. What a bunch of amateurs. SMDH.

[Sneederbunk]

4. Thank you Senate Republicans.

[barbtries]

37. his cabinet choices

were made to maximize damage. RFK jr? a fucking catastrophe for public health. he will kill children. hegseth?

I saw a cartoon it was Al Qaeda or ISIS and they were just laying back and watching the news because they don't even need to attack the US; we're being destroyed from within.

[stollen]

2. Move out Noem while you're at it

[Paladin]

3. I'll believe it, if and when it happens. (nt)

[RockRaven]

5. This usually means there is another story about to break which is even worse

than what is already out there...

[SheltieLover]

10. There was another post alluding to that a short time ago

[sdfernando]

6. But I thought that orangeanus

only hired the best people?!?!?

So how many Scaramucci's is that?...or is the head of lettuce still viable?

[RandomNumbers]

8. dang it, you beat me to it

that'll teach me to take the time to add the sarcasm emojis

[sdfernando]

9. LOL!

[RandomNumbers]

7. But how can that be? T*ump only hires the *best* people!

Right???

I mean, that's what he told us, so it must be true!

[Irish_Dem]

11. Must be really bad behind the scenes.

Trump doesn't care about security breaches or classified document leaks.

[SheltieLover]

12. Are his wife & brother also employed by ruskies?

"NPR has also confirmed with the same official that Hegseth shared details ahead of last month's Yemen strikes with his wife and brother in a Signal chat on his personal phone, minutes after being updated by a senior U.S. military official."

WTAF????

[J_William_Ryan]

13. The question is replaced with whom - another incompetent sycophant like Hegseth.

This fiasco is further proof of the incompetence of Trump and the entire ‘administration.’

[xocetaceans]

14. Either of those two other "high-caliber" candidates, Tucker Carlson or Jesse Waters, would be available. n/t

[notinkansas]

39. I don't believe the real problem is incompetence.

I really think it is deliberate sabotage - on Putin's orders.

[xuplate]

15. What?

Andrew Belousov isn’t available?

[Javaman]

16. I think Daffy Duck is available. nt

[cloudbase]

30. Mike Lindell is available.

He needs the gig.

[JustAnotherGen]

17. Wanna bet

He taps one of his children? Baron? Tiffany?

[lamp_shade]

18. RKJunior NEXT... please

[SergeStorms]

19. Pick someone who's remotely qualified......

and you won't have problems like this, Drumpf.

[Deuxcents]

27. Those who voted to confirm him need to be held responsible, too.

[IronLionZion]

20. The DUI candidate

[Icanthinkformyself]

21. Using a hacksaw

on the support structure of the Convicted Felon is the correct tactic. Knock out the legs of the stool and the turd will fall.

[AverageOldGuy]

22. They will not need to look vary far

Just pick the next dumbass airhead loser on Fox. After all, that's where much of Trump's cabinet comes from.

[Bluetus]

23. I'll drink to that.

(If Pete has left any for the rest of us.)

[H2O Man]

24. Recommended.

The search for a replacement equally unqualified will be tedious.

[twodogsbarking]

26. I hadn't read your comment but I concur. Next comment.

[ShazzieB]

44. And watching most of the GOP senators vote to confirm whatever blithering idiot Schlump nominates...

...will be even more tedious. If only we dared hope some of them will grow a spine by then.

If only.

P.S. If they make me wrong about this, I'll acknowledge it gladly. IF IF IF IF

[twodogsbarking]

25. I'm surprised. He seemed stupid enough.

[H2O Man]

31. Great minds think alike!

Apparently, judging from this administration, weak minds do, too!

[CrispyQ]

28. Want to bet this is how Hegseth found out...through the news like the rest of us?

Once again the "You're fired!" king can't do it face-to-face. In his first term, didn't he send a body guard to leave a note on some guy's desk telling him that he was canned? Pretty sure I'm right.

[getagrip_already]

29. If he does go, it's not because he is stupid, or incompetent, or a drunk, or a russian asset....

It'll because he got caught, and it became public.

It doesn't matter that he is any of those things as long as the public doesn't find out.

[eppur_se_muova]

32. Wait, major security violations are disqualifying now ?

Could have used that earlier.

[Prairie Gates]

33. According to ONE source, though? Seems like an odd way to do journalism, I have to say

Set up?

[Canada Kid]

34. Hegseth the Moron

Make him walk out naked to be sure he is not leaving with anything top secret and sensitive!

[Deminpenn]

35. I'm guessing the next SecDef will be someone from Congress

I could see someone like Tom Cotton or Lindsey Graham or even Dave McCormick.

[Marthe48]

36. We can be sure the new sec. of def won't be black, female, gay

experienced, college-educated, sober, or loyal to the Constitution of the U.S.

[Tribetime]

38. Only the best....soon drump will be the one on the chopping block

[notinkansas]

40. Wishful thinking?

[Tribetime]

42. I just think all other countries are done with trump and will not deal with him

I'm trade so, so I think he made his own bed now.He screwed himself over.It's not gonna end well for him.That's just my opinion

[notinkansas]

46. I interpreted your 'chopping block' comment to mean that he would be somehow removed.

Wishful thinking on my part, I guess. Other countries are not the only ones to be done with him. We get firsties.

[Blue Owl]

41. Jesus Christ

What assclown will they find next???

[Wonder Why]

43. That is the last person trump would pick.

[LudwigPastorius]

45. Looks like Whiskey Pete is going to break the record for the shortest tenure as SecDef.

So, he's got that going for him.

Next up? Secretary Sean Hannity!!