Hegseth and Rubio stay on as White House fights back against departure rumors
The administration rejected claims that its top defense and foreign policy leaders are exiting, even as a Republican lawmaker prepares an impeachment bid against the defense secretary.
By Alessia Desai ·
Tensions over the future of the Trump administration’s top national security team came to a head this week. The White House officially denied reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would leave their posts following recent election losses.
US media outlets had circulated stories suggesting calls to replace Hegseth, particularly regarding his management of the Iran war. That conflict has drawn criticism for contributing to heavy losses for Republicans. Rubio, meanwhile, faced speculation about stepping down before a potential 2028 presidential campaign.
Rubio addressed the rumors directly in an interview with The New York Times. He stated that working for President Trump until the end of his term has always been the plan. "I love the work I'm doing," Rubio said, adding that he often laughs when told he is leaving. "I go, 'Which one?'"
Both the White House and the State Department dismissed the reports of Rubio’s exit as fake news. The denial provided a clearer picture of the administration’s stance, though Hegseth’s political position remains more fluid.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have blamed the Iran war for the election results that gave Democrats full control of both the House and the Senate. In a telephone interview with ABC News, Trump said he received calls about Hegseth but had every intention of keeping him in the role.
The president later told reporters at the White House that Hegseth had done a fantastic job. He cited the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January and the ongoing Iran war as key achievements. The conflict is now in its ninth month, having started eight months prior to recent reports.
The Washington Post reported that Trump might be considering replacing General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or Admiral Brad Cooper, the chief of US Central Command. Both officials played major roles in guiding the war effort.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a frequent critic of Trump, said he will trigger a resolution to impeach Hegseth early next week. He told Politico that he will push for the vote while Republicans still hold the advantage in confirming replacements. On X, Massie warned that the president should act before a new Democratic controlled Congress forms in January. Hegseth responded with a video statement denouncing the effort as a sham by a defeated congressman and his Democratic allies. He listed achievements such as reviving military recruitment and rebuilding the defense industrial base. Hegseth also noted speculation about his interest in an open Tennessee Senate seat.
