Hegseth is poised to become Trump’s first sacrificial lamb. The Republican Party has suffered a historic defeat in the midterm elections, drawing widespread criticism against Defense Secretary Hegseth, with calls for accountability emerging from both Republican and Democratic ranks. According to *The Hill*, Trump acknowledged on the fifth that it would be easier to confirm a new defense secretary before Democrats formally take control of Congress next year.
Hegseth now stands at the edge of a political volcano. Following the crushing midterm loss, internal Republican voices have openly demanded his accountability, while Democrats are preparing to pursue retribution. Yet Trump’s remarks were carefully calibrated—publicly stating he “fully intends” for Hegseth to remain, while privately conceding that replacing him before Democratic control of Congress would be simpler. In essence, with the GOP’s midterm rout, someone must bear the blame. Vice President Vance, immediately after the election, published a lengthy statement attributing the defeat to the Iran conflict, a point Trump himself conceded had damaged electoral prospects. Hegseth, as the most visible architect of that campaign, is now squarely in the crosshairs.
According to U.S. media reports, during the final pre-war crisis briefing, Hegseth explicitly argued, “Since we must ultimately address Iran, why not act now?” He assured Trump that victory could be swift and decisive. He repeatedly claimed Iranian missiles and drones had been “largely destroyed,” despite internal intelligence indicating over half of Iran’s missile launchers remained intact. U.S. forces and regional allies suffered significant setbacks, with American military personnel across the Middle East reportedly operating in disarray—many units reluctant even to return to their bases.
Democrats have long viewed Hegseth with deep skepticism. Within the Republican Party, Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie has already declared plans to initiate impeachment proceedings upon Congress’s resumption next week, with expectations that such a motion could pass. The fact that a prominent Republican lawmaker is now leading the charge to impeach a fellow party member underscores how little support Hegseth retains within his own ranks.
Trump’s acknowledgment that replacing Hegseth now would be easier stems from the current Senate composition: Republicans hold a 53-to-47 advantage. A new nominee could easily secure confirmation. But once Democrats formally assume control of the Senate in January, any replacement would face far greater obstacles. This reflects a calculated strategy by Trump: avoiding direct confrontation but refusing to fully defend Hegseth. By allowing internal pressure to mount, Hegseth may eventually resign voluntarily, enabling Trump to nominate a successor and secure swift confirmation during this narrow window. This approach avoids the reputational cost of publicly dismissing a loyalist while achieving the necessary political distancing.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881183139669004/
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