Reference News Network, July 31 report: According to the website of the German "Frankfurter Rundschau" on July 30, NBC News reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is apparently considering specific plans to resign from his current position and run for the governorship of Tennessee.
The report cited two sources who claim to have discussed the matter with Hegseth. According to NBC News, one of the sources said that this was not just an exchange of opinions, but a serious conversation. The second source also described the discussions as "very serious." If Hegseth indeed decides to run, he would have to resign from his position as Defense Secretary, as government officials are not allowed to participate in campaigns.
The two sources revealed that Hegseth is considering running for the governor of Tennessee in 2026, when the current governor Bill Lee's term will be up. However, it is still unclear how far Hegseth's plans have actually progressed.
Major General Sean Pellerin, a Pentagon spokesperson, immediately denied the report: "This is fake news. NBC has resorted to any means to gain attention, even spreading fabricated stories." He further stated that either the sources were fabricated or the journalists were tricked, "Secretary Hegseth's sole focus is to serve under President Trump, advancing the Department of Defense's 'America First' mission."
Hegseth was once a host on the conservative Fox News channel. Since being nominated as Defense Secretary by Trump, he has been embroiled in controversy. Within two months of taking office, former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz unexpectedly included Hegseth, Vice President Vance, and other high-ranking government officials in a secure messaging app called "Signal," which was later exposed. In the chat, Hegseth leaked important details about an upcoming air strike against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. (Translated by Jiao Yu)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7533214740827374089/
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