Trump Says He Will Stick With Hegseth Despite ‘Unhappy’ Calls After GOP Midterm Losses

President Trump says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth isn’t going anywhere, even as the president acknowledged hearing from people unhappy with the Pentagon chief following Republicans’ midterm drubbing.

Trump told ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on Thursday morning that he has “every intention” of keeping Hegseth in his post.

He also admitted that he has been getting calls about Hegseth. “I get these calls, you know, about him. I don’t understand why,” Trump said.

The comments come after CBS News reported this week, citing people familiar with the situation, that Trump had been asking advisers whether he should keep Hegseth after Tuesday’s losses. Other sources told CBS that the president had not decided to replace him.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that Hegseth was doing a “very good job” and denied any plans to fire him. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the president has full confidence in his defense secretary.

Pressure on Hegseth has grown as Vice President JD Vance and others blamed the war with Iran for the GOP’s losses. Trump also acknowledged that the war contributed to the party’s defeat.

Some White House officials and Trump allies had privately described the Iran war as their biggest liability heading into the midterms.

Trump was also asked about speculation that Hegseth could seek Tennessee’s Senate seat, which Sen. Marsha Blackburn is set to vacate after winning the governor’s race. Trump predicted Hegseth would be very popular in the state but said he hadn’t heard anything about it.

He also acknowledged that it would be easier to confirm a replacement before Democrats take control of the Senate in January.

Democrats have made clear Hegseth will face heavy scrutiny once they hold the gavel, with some floating impeachment.

The Pentagon is pushing back. Spokesman Sean Parnell said the department will keep advancing Trump’s agenda despite what he called threats of sham witch hunts from Democrats, and that Hegseth is fully committed to leading the department through the end of Trump’s term.

Hegseth has reportedly told the White House he is prepared to own every Pentagon decision and defend them in public hearings.

Trump’s decision stands in contrast to President George W. Bush, who fired Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld the morning after the 2006 midterms, when voter frustration over the Iraq war helped Democrats win Congress.

Trump personally likes Hegseth and has told aides he believes his defense secretary should fight back against efforts to investigate or impeach him.