Hegseth's nomination is in trouble. Allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol issues. So far Trump is still backing the nomination. It is up to Hegseth to answer or to drop out. Either way expect a Kavanaugh like hearing if it gets that far .
Rumors are floated that Trump may replace him with Florida Guv Ron DeSantis . If true the hearings will be fascinating . Clearly DeSantis is qualified to run a large organization like the DOD . He is a Vet who served as a Navy lawyer in Iraq and Gitmo .
Other names floated are Sen Joni Ernst (Iowa) She served a long time in the Army Reserve and the Iowa National Guard retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel . She was the commanding officer of the 1168th Transportation Company in Kuwait and later commanded the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion ;Iowa's largest Guard battalion.
Another name being considered is Elbridge Colby, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development during the Trump's first term. He was responsible for defense strategy, force development, and strategic analysis for policy .
He is an ally of JD Vance. He gets the China threat to US national security.
Amazon.com: The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict: 9780300256437: Colby, Elbridge A.: Books
But some critics say he is soft on Iran (I don't buy it. He uses the Israeli model of an ally as the model the rest of out allies (NATO) should emulate .ie step up to the plate )
What he does not buy is a rush to war with Iran; and that was from an op-ed he wrote in 2012
Why Not to Attack Iran | The National Interest
It would be interesting to see if his opinion has changed .
I don't necessarily agree with the position he took in the article. Iran has a nuke program close to completion and has by far been responsible for more US military deaths and injuries than any other power in the last 20 years . My position during GWOT and Iraq was that Iran was the main state sponsor of terrorism and that our exit strategy from Iraq should've been through Tehran.
The idea that Trump is floating names for replacing Hegseth does not lend confidence that he will survive the process. As noted above there is a legitimate question about Hegseth's qualifications for the job..... and if the charges against him are true then he should be replaced .
But if there is no merit and they try to do a Kavanaugh or Clarance Thomas smear campaign then Trump should stand behind him