Trump also acknowledged the timing problem a change would create. Democrats take control of the Senate in January and would hold the majority needed to vote down a nominee, so confirming a successor would be easier before then. On Wednesday, Trump had dismissed reports that he was considering a replacement, saying, "No, he's doing a very good job."

Those reports describe something different. People familiar with the discussions say Trump asked allies in the run-up to Tuesday's election whom they would recommend to succeed Hegseth. The talks reportedly came as Hegseth's relations with members of Congress in both parties grew tense over military operations, transparency and Pentagon spending. Other accounts say Trump is consulting advisers about Hegseth's future and has not decided whether to replace him. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is reportedly among those under consideration. The reported plan would have the Senate confirm him in the lame-duck session, and he would take over the Pentagon after his term as governor ends on January 5, 2027.

The White House and the Pentagon have rejected the idea that Hegseth is on his way out. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the president "has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth." Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth is "100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump's term in office" and "will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points."

Some signs have fed the speculation. Four people familiar with the matter said some of Hegseth's upcoming travel has been put on hold. The reasons are unconfirmed. One possibility is that Trump is considering resuming major military action in Iran, and another is the political fallout from the election. Hegseth was also among the few Cabinet members missing from the White House East Room on Tuesday night, where election results were watched. A Defense Department official confirmed he was in Washington.

The Iran war is at the center of the argument over why Republicans lost. Vice President JD Vance wrote on X on Wednesday, "The reason we lost is the war." Democrats have long criticized the war and Hegseth's handling of it. Some White House aides reportedly expect blame to reach Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, who both played significant roles in guiding the war.

Hegseth spoke on the steps of the Pentagon after the losses and promised to carry on, including his anti-DEI push. He called his work part of the president's "America First agenda" and the department's "Peace Through Strength agenda," and said the "next few months and years are critical for our department and our republic."

His position could get harder in January. Democrats are expected to hold both chambers of Congress and could revive the impeachment effort already underway before the election. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced a resolution in September seeking Hegseth's impeachment. He wrote on X that he would not reintroduce articles of impeachment if Hegseth resigns.