Trump Weighs Hegseth’s Future as Cabinet Blame Game Intensifies
WHO:
Alternet - Maggie Haberman appeared on a morning panel with MS NOW’s Stephanie Ruhle.
Alternet - Maggie Haberman, a New York Times political reporter and Trump biographer, said Pete Hegseth could be a candidate to take the blame for Republicans’ midterm losses.
Alternet - Haberman said Hegseth had been the most optimistic about the Iran war in Trump’s circle, while Trump’s decision to enter the war was “by a wide mile” his own.
Alternet - Haberman said Trump’s advisers went along with his decision, although most had reservations.
CBS News Politics - Trump has asked advisers whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should remain in his job.
Alternet - A senior White House official told the Washington Examiner that Hegseth was in the firing line over his advice to Trump about the Iran war.
Alternet - Sarah Matthews, a deputy press secretary during Trump’s first term, said, “Trump has no one to blame but himself.”
Alternet - Matthews cited the Iran war, tariffs that raised costs, mass deportations, and corruption in the administration.
WHAT:
Alternet - Haberman said Republican lawmakers may feel pressure to focus on delivering results and adopt a more populist message, while doubting they would begin openly criticizing Trump.
Alternet - Haberman said the Supreme Court was largely off the table for Trump unless he took a different approach, and unless a justice retired while he was in office.
Alternet - Haberman said removing Hegseth and blaming him for the Iran war could be an easy move for Trump and could help him seek “some kind of a comity with Democrats.”
Alternet - Trump told Fox News anchor Bret Baier he did not think he would change his Cabinet, saying, “Had nothing to do with my Cabinet.”
Alternet - Democrats secured at least 54 Senate seats and crossed the 218-seat threshold for a House majority; Alaska remained uncalled, and Democrats won every other toss-up race.
Alternet - A senior White House official questioned whether Hegseth’s projections about the war were accurate and said he should explain to Congress what he told Trump would happen.
Alternet - A Trump-aligned political operative attributed the election results to Iran and its fallout rather than campaign strategy.
Alternet - Trump blamed candidates he said had failed to inspire voters, criticized Fox News over its coverage and polling, and called Texas Gov. Greg Abbott a “RINO” after Abbott lost his race.
Alternet - A White House aide said nobody was at fault and described the losses as a wave.
WHERE:
Alternet - The potential consequences for Hegseth include investigations by Democratic-led congressional committees and possible impeachment.
Alternet - Haberman said the military was working with less funding than many voters likely realized while global crises were accumulating.
WHEN:
Alternet - Haberman said Trump would face “a very different reality come January” and noted that he would still have two years in power.
Alternet - Democrats were expected to take control of both houses of Congress in January.
WHY:
Alternet - The articles connect scrutiny of Hegseth to the Iran war and Republican election losses; Democrats’ expected control of Congress could expose him to opposing-party investigations.
HOW:
Alternet - Trump asked advisers about Hegseth’s continued service, according to CBS News Politics.
Alternet - Haberman said voters had sent a clear message against the kind of overreach they did not want.
(UPDATED November 5, 2026 02:00 UTC)
Trump is weighing whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should remain, amid Iran war scrutiny. Hegseth could become a scapegoat for Republican losses, though Trump made the war decision. Democrats’ congressional gains could bring investigations and possible impeachment.
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(UPDATED November 5, 2026 00:10 UTC)
Trump is weighing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s future after Republicans’ sweeping midterm losses. Hegseth’s advice on the Iran war is under scrutiny, though Trump made the decision. Democrats’ expected control of Congress could bring investigations, while Trump has blamed candidates and media.