American media reported on a possible post-election reorganization of Donald Trump's administration. Among the politicians who would lose their positions were Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth.
However, the reports regarding the head of American diplomacy were firmly denied. Rubio assured in an interview with The New York Times that he intends to work for Donald Trump until the end of his term.
Working for Trump until the end of his term was always in my plans, said the Secretary of State. He also added that he likes his position and does not understand the speculations about his departure.
I love my job. Then I always ask: "But which job should I leave?" - Rubio said, referring to the number of responsibilities he has performed. The White House and the Department of State described information about the possible departure of the Secretary of State as "fake news."
Pete Hegseth's situation is much more uncertain. According to American media reports, there were voices calling for the replacement of the head of the Pentagon. Critics accuse him primarily of the way he conducts the war with Iran.
The conflict, which is now in its ninth month, has become one of the topics that burden the Trump administration. Among the reasons for the Republicans' electoral defeats are the consequences of American involvement in the war.
In a telephone interview with ABC News, Donald Trump admitted that he had received calls regarding Hegseth's future. At the same time, he assured that he was "decided" to keep him in office.
The president also defended his colleague during an evening meeting with journalists at the White House.
"Pete Hegseth did a fantastic job," Trump said. Among the achievements of the Secretary of Defense he mentioned, among others: activities related to the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January and waging war with Iran.
The pressure on Hegseth is not limited to media reports. Republican congressman Thomas Massie, known for his critical attitude towards Donald Trump, announced that he will seek to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Secretary of Defense.
In an interview with Politico, he announced that he intends to make a decision on this matter at the beginning of next week.
Massie also warned the president on X that he should consider replacing Hegseth before a new Democratic-majority Congress is established in January.
“He should do this while he can still get his successors confirmed in the Senate,” the congressman wrote.
The Secretary of Defense addressed Massie's announcement in a published video. He condemned the initiative to initiate impeachment proceedings, describing it as an attempt to falsely initiate the proceedings.
He also accused critics of being politically motivated. He spoke of a "disgruntled, defeated congressman" and his Democratic allies.
Hegseth argued that the ministry he heads is effectively implementing Donald Trump's "America First" program. Among his achievements, he listed improving recruitment results for the US military, strengthening the US defense industry and eliminating diversity initiatives.
You see, they attack me. They attack us because we are effective. This won't work. We will not give in, said the head of the Pentagon.
Criticizing the democrats, he said that their policies were not bringing results, and he described the actions against him as an attempt to politically destroy his opponents.
As reported by The Washington Post, Donald Trump may also consider changes in the leadership of the American armed forces. Potential candidates for removal from their posts included General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Both military officials played an important role in advising the administration on the war with Iran. There are also speculations in the American media that Hegseth himself may be interested in running for a seat in the US Senate from the state of Tennessee.
For now, the White House assures that it does not plan any changes in the most important positions in the administration. While Rubio strongly denies his departure, Hegseth's future remains the subject of speculation.
