As Hegseth Falters, Ron DeSantis could translate “War on Woke” to the military

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering replacing his nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis amid opposition from some Republican senators to Hegseth.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host, is among Trump’s most controversial Cabinet nominees amid questions about his qualifications to lead the Defense Department and several allegations related to his personal life, including an allegation that he had a wife after a Republican conference sexually abused in 2017.

Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins have publicly expressed concern over the sexual assault allegation against Hegseth and cast doubt on the nominee’s ability to be confirmed in the Senate, even as Republicans take control of the upper chamber next month.

Fears from Trump allies that Hegseth would not be able to withstand further scrutiny, which could include an FBI background check, have now led the president-elect to consider DeSantis for the post instead, according to a report by Tuesday The Wall Street Journal citing “people familiar with the discussions.”

Newsweek asked the Trump transition team for comment via email Tuesday evening.

DeSantis, a close ally of Trump before challenging him in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, was a U.S. Navy officer and lawyer for many years before being elected governor of Florida in 2018.

After declaring “war” on “woke” — an oft-repeated but rarely defined conservative slogan sometimes used in reference to diversity programs and issues like transgender rights — DeSantis overwhelmingly won re-election in 2022, despite his The relationship with Trump had already partially deteriorated at this point.

Political analyst Craig Agranoff said Newsweek in a statement Tuesday that DeSantis, who leads the Defense Department, would give the governor the opportunity to take his “war” to the military to target diversity initiatives and energize supporters, but risk controversy. There has been widespread speculation that the new Trump administration will ban transgender troops from serving in the military.

“If he is seriously considering making DeSantis defense secretary instead of Hegseth, that signals a shift in his priorities,” Agranoff said. “DeSantis brings leadership experience and a strong political following that could solidify Trump’s support among conservatives and strengthen his administration’s focus on domestic leadership on defense issues.”

“On the other hand, it could raise questions about Hegseth’s perceived qualifications or his fit with Trump’s strategic goals,” he added. “If this decision holds true, it could have a significant impact on the dynamics and policy direction of the government.”

Hegseth is also considered an “anti-woke” campaigner, but is likely to have much more difficulty securing Senate confirmation. If his nomination is withdrawn, it would be the second failure of Trump’s Cabinet picks, after the president-elect’s first nominee for U.S. attorney general, former congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida, already resigned.

Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham told CBS News on Tuesday that he found the sexual assault allegations against Hegseth “disturbing” and suggested his confirmation would be “difficult,” but also said the nominee “obviously has a chance to defend itself.”

In comments to CNN, Collins called for Hegseth to undergo “an FBI background check to evaluate the allegations” and noted that the “normal” vetting process for Cabinet appointments would likely also include a contentious public hearing for Hegseth.

Update 3/24/12, 11:58 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and context.