Pete Hegseth has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the military as the next defense secretary. But as damaging allegations of sexual assault, substance abuse and more come to light, his path to a Cabinet seat is becoming slim. While his name is still officially nominated for the role, rumors have quickly spread that Trump is considering appointing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the job. But would he end up being the pick and cruise to confirmation in such a scenario?
The doubts on the viability come from a recent Miami Herald investigation. The outlet, along with Times Tallahassee Bureau, spoke to 11 political insiders close to DeSantis and Trump, asking about the chances the conservative governor could assume the role. Despite being a household name in the Republican party, the insiders point to some major hurdles that could challenge his role in Washington.
For one, Hegseth is still in the game, and has a major champion in Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican who has never had a warm relationship with DeSantis, who succeeded him when he left office in 2019. That is a clear contrast from Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who sought to become attorney general but had to quickly drop out of the race amid sexual trafficking and drug use allegations.
"[Hegseth] has gone into combat and put his life on the line for our country," Scott said in a statement on X. "He will do an unbelievable job at the Department of Defense, and that's why I support him."
Most notably, DeSantis and Trump do not have a warm relationship, Miami Herald notes, an important feature for a president-elect that highly values loyalty. During the Republican presidential primary last year, DeSantis heavily criticized Trump over his first term, suggesting at the time the party was ready for a candidate with less baggage than the then-former president.
Trump has also taken issue with DeSantis' approach in Florida to the insurance crisis, recreational marijuana and abortion, according to Miami Herald. And Trump's incoming chief of staff, Susie WIles, was ousted by DeSantis after she helped him win his first gubernatorial bid in 2018.
But the job may also not be the best political move for the Florida governor. Being defense secretary would keep him in Washington and likely on television, a strategic move that could help support a 2028 presidential bid. However, since it is a federal government position, it might make it more difficult for him to raise money for a potential campaign, thanks to a 1939 law called the Hatch Act that prohibits executive branch employees from participating in certain political activities, including soliciting and accepting campaign contributions.
At the same time, being powerful in a state like Florida, which has essentially become the new home for the GOP might be a good to keep on his resume once he is termed out of his governorship in 2027, making it an easy transition into campaigning for president.
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