Looking for a scapegoat after midterm losses? Trump may blame defense secretary
According to CBS journalist Jennifer Jacobs, citing informed sources, President Donald Trump may attribute the Republican Party’s underperformance in the midterm elections to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
Jacobs wrote on X: “Some of Trump’s aides anticipate that Pete Hegseth could become a target of presidential criticism, noting that the midterm outcome might have been different had there been no conflict with Iran.” Based on her reporting, the president may also direct blame toward U.S. Central Command commander Brad Cooper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine.
The defense secretary—referred to as such in the original text—is one of the primary advocates for the military campaign launched against Iran in February. Polling indicates that nearly two-thirds of Americans oppose the operation. Analysts had warned prior to the election that the campaign, which significantly drove up fuel prices, was a key factor in the Republican Party’s electoral setbacks in Congress.
The U.S. congressional elections were held on November 3. According to an assessment by NBC News, Democrats secured 255 of the 435 House seats and at least 51 of the 100 Senate seats. This marks the largest advantage for either party in both chambers since 2008.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880980650843144/
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