As the United States’ conflict with Iran extends into its eighth week, public sentiment regarding Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is notably negative. A recent poll conducted by Daily Mail and JL Partners, surveying over 1,000 American voters, reveals a striking disapproval of Hegseth’s leadership. His approval rating languishes at a mere 32 percent.
The poll further indicates that Hegseth’s disapproval rating stands at 39 percent. While he manages to maintain some support among Republicans, with 56 percent of conservatives approving of his performance, his standing with independents is precarious. Only 26 percent of these voters express approval of his role as Secretary of War.
Among Democrats, the discontent is even more pronounced. A majority, 52 percent, disapprove of Hegseth’s handling of his duties, with just 14 percent in his favor. Despite these numbers, a White House official asserts that Hegseth retains a strong relationship with President Trump.
The political landscape, however, remains volatile, with recent cabinet dismissals fueling speculation. Some close allies of Trump, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, are reportedly eyeing potential vacancies. The Pentagon could be an enticing prospect for those seeking to step into what they view as a ‘dream job’ in the administration.
Over half of the Democratic respondents – 52 percent – disapprove of the Secretary’s job performance, while just 14 percent approve.
Though a White House official told the Daily Mail that Hegseth continues to have a good relationship with the President, recent Cabinet-level firings have spurred reports that some of Trump’s allies, like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, may be gunning for what could be soon-to-be-vacant positions.
‘Ron was begging me to be AG,’ Trump told a confidant recently after having lunch with the Governor in Florida, Axios reported.
Another source told the outlet that ‘DeSantis is 100 percent not interested in the AG job, but he would be interested in two things: War secretary or Supreme Court, which would be his dream job.’
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has just a 32 percent approval rating, according to the latest Daily Mail/JL Partners poll
President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis is reportedly interested in becoming the next Secretary of War
DeSantis himself recently said he’s ‘got more in the tank,’ when asked about his future after his second term as Governor ends.
When pressed by journalist Graham Bensinger about reports he was considered to lead the Pentagon after the 2024 election, the Governor said he was never asked.
‘It’s never anything I’ve aspired to do, but at the same time, I’m a service-oriented guy, like, if I can be beneficial. So I would never rule anything out.’
The Pentagon boss has been one of Trump’s most aggressive advocates for the Iran war, describing its Revolutionary Guard Corps as a ‘gang of pirates with a flag.’
Hegseth held an on-camera briefing with reporters on Friday morning, claiming that the US retains control of the Strait of Hormuz and issuing a stark warning to Iran.
‘If Iran is putting mines in the water, or otherwise threatening American commercial shipping or American forces, we will shoot to destroy,’ he pledged.
Even if Trump does replace Hegseth, there are concerns among GOP lawmakers about the timing of any more Cabinet departures.
‘The number of working days are very limited,’ Senator Thom Tillis recently told Politico of the amount of time left to get Senate-confirmed Cabinet members through the Republican controlled Senate.
‘You just do the math. It’s a very compressed schedule.’
Another unnamed GOP Senator revealed that Trump’s mood has soured on some Cabinet members, and that he’s readying for more firings.
‘He’s in a bad mood, so he’s letting a lot of them go,’ the Senator said. ‘He’s preparing to really let a lot of them go.’
