Pentagon says Hegseth is "100% committed" to staying through Trump's term

Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement that Pete Hegseth "is 100% committed to leading the department until the end of President Trump's term in office." That is PR, and it should be read as such. Still, the president has backed it up in public. In remarks from the Oval Office on a Thursday, Trump said his defense secretary was doing a "fantastic job," according to reporting. Earlier, on November 4, reports indicate that Trump answered "No, I think he's doing a very good job" When asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth. Reports also say Trump insisted publicly that he is not planning to fire him. The pressure is real, though. Reports indicate, citing two senior administration officials, that White House discussions about whether Hegseth should stay have intensified. Reports describe scrutiny from both parties after the midterms, and one lawmaker wrote that he would not reintroduce articles of impeachment if Hegseth resigns. Reports also noted he could choose to resign rather than face congressional probes. Replacement is a hurdle. Reporting says finding a successor that a Democratic-led Senate would confirm could prove challenging, especially for a new chief of staff. That is a practical reason for the president to hold on, though it is not a guarantee. The forecast leans toward Hegseth still being in the job at the end of November, but not by a wide margin. Watch for any change in Trump's public tone. If he stops defending Hegseth, or if a resignation is announced, the picture changes at once.