Amid swirling controversy surrounding Pete Hegseth's nomination for Defense Secretary, President-elect Trump is reportedly considering Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the position. Multiple sources have confirmed to Fox News that DeSantis, a former Trump rival who later became a supporter, is a potential replacement for Hegseth.

DeSantis, a Navy veteran with service in Iraq, recently won re-election as Florida's governor but faces term limits in 2026. The discussions between Trump and DeSantis reportedly occurred during a shared appearance at a memorial service for fallen law enforcement officers in Palm Beach County, Florida.

This development comes as Hegseth faces scrutiny on Capitol Hill, navigating allegations of misconduct. Hegseth continues to meet with Republican senators, seeking their support for confirmation. He has publicly denied the allegations against him and affirmed his commitment to serving the military.

Adding to the unfolding narrative, Hegseth's mother, Penelope Hegseth, appeared on "FOX and Friends" to defend her son's character and urge senators, particularly female senators, to disregard media reports and hear Hegseth's side of the story.

Should DeSantis be nominated and confirmed, Florida's Lieutenant Governor, Jeanette Nuñez, would assume the governorship, marking a historic moment as the state's first female and first Cuban-descent governor.

The Wall Street Journal initially broke the news of Trump's consideration of DeSantis for the Defense Secretary role.