Trump keeps Hegseth despite Iran war costs

President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that Pete Hegseth will remain as defense secretary, rejecting speculation that the official would step down. Trump told reporters that Hegseth is doing a great job, a stance that holds steady even as the administration faces fresh political pressure from its midterm defeat.

The eight month war with Iran has become a central issue for voters. Gas prices have risen, and American troops have been killed and wounded. In April, Hegseth declared a historic and overwhelming victory, but fighting continued for months. The conflict consumed U.S. munitions that could take years to replace. ABC News Voter Poll data shows 34% of House voters called the war a key reason for their choice, while 49% cited the cost of living.

Hegseth plans to stay at the Pentagon through the end of Trump's term. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth is 100% committed to leading the department. Parnell added that the secretary will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points. Trump has privately sought input from Republicans close to the White House on how Hegseth is handling the role.

Democrats are preparing to use their new congressional majority to scrutinize the administration. They plan to target Hegseth for possible impeachment. Lawmakers intend to use subpoena power to question Pentagon officials about the Iran war. They also want to examine the legality of strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats and the unexplained firings of senior military officers.

Vice President JD Vance, a potential 2028 Republican presidential candidate, placed blame for the election loss directly on the conflict. Vance posted on social media that the reason the party lost is the war. He noted that the president acknowledged this point the previous night. Vance argued that while the decision to go to war could be defended, the party must not ignore the electoral consequences.

Vance suggested that arguing the loss of the Senate for six years was a worthwhile cost to pay was at least honest. He stated that any honest conversation about the party's future must start with the fact that everyone knows why they lost. Party leaders are balancing their investigations into the Trump administration with an agenda focused on affordability.

Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn won Tennessee's gubernatorial race Tuesday. She declined to name her replacement for the Senate seat, saying it is not a conversation for today. Trump predicted Hegseth would be very popular in the state if he were to run for the open seat.