Hegseth Floats Run For Office In 2026
Published 1 hour ago
on July 30, 2025
By Mark Steffen
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been quietly floating the possibility of running for office in his home state of Tennessee next year, according to insiders who have heard talk of his plans.
Two sources with direct knowledge say Hegseth, 45, has aspirations far beyond the Pentagon, where he has served as one of the most visible figures in the second Trump administration. His position — combined with a bruising battle for U.S. Senate confirmation — has afforded Hegseth the political capital he needs to jump ship ahead of 2026 and raise the funds necessary to win elected office, he has confided to allies.
If Hegseth does decide to run, it would be one of the largest shake-ups to hit President Donald Trump’s cabinet since he took office. His inner circle was last destabilized by the dramatic exit of Elon Musk, his former cost-cutting advisor and founder of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell did not address the rumors, saying only in a statement, “Hegseth’s focus remains solely on serving under President Trump.”
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