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U.S. President Trump said he stands by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth despite criticism from some fellow Republicans over his handling of the Iran war, telling NBC News in a phone interview that Hegseth is "actually one of my best" officials.
"I think he's actually one of my best," Trump told NBC News, adding, "I'm very good at this stuff."
He further said: "Smart guy. He's very much into it. Respected by the military."
NBC News noted Trump has parted ways with four Cabinet members and presided over rapid turnover at senior levels of his administration since returning to office, but said he insisted he remains confident in Hegseth, whom he brought in from Fox News last year to lead the Defense Department.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation, at least one political ally told NBC News they warned Trump in recent weeks that Hegseth is "not up to the job in wartime," adding, "He's not a manager."
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is not seeking re-election, told NBC News: "I've got zero confidence in him. His experience with any large complex organizations is almost zero. And he's proving it by his lack of willingness to feel secure in his own suit and recognize there are far more capable, far more capable people who know how to fight wars that he should be listening to."
NBC News noted the Iran war is now in its sixth month, citing a new Reuters/Ipsos poll in which 50% of respondents said they believed the war would destabilize the Middle East, compared with 17% who believed it would produce more stability.
NBC News noted that while Trump, as commander in chief, bears ultimate responsibility for launching the war with Iran alongside Israel, it is not unusual for presidents to reshuffle military leadership in search of fresh strategic advice, citing President George W. Bush's acceptance of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation following Republican setbacks in the November 2006 midterms amid declining public support for the Iraq War.
NBC News reported that Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose term ends in January, has been mentioned in pro-Trump circles as a potential replacement for Hegseth should Trump make a change.
The two have a complicated history. Trump backed DeSantis in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial primary, but DeSantis later challenged Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. The two men have since reconciled.
Asked about DeSantis, Trump stated: "I like Ron, but Pete's doing a great job. I do like Ron. I get along very well with Ron. I could see Ron for something, but Pete's doing a great job ... I just get along with Ron. I could see something happening there, but not with Pete. Pete's doing a great job."
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told NBC News he has heard similar sentiments from Trump regarding Hegseth. Asked whether Trump remains supportive of the Defense Secretary, Wicker said: "Yeah. The president tells me that ... Yeah, he likes him."
NBC News noted Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate on a 50-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.
An unnamed Democratic senator, speaking to NBC News on condition of anonymity, described the relationship between Hegseth and Senate Democrats as "nonexistent," calling it a departure from relationships with past defense secretaries who came to the role with less partisan mindsets.
NBC News noted that Trump's public praise for officials has not always translated into job security, citing his April dismissal of attorney general Pam Bondi, whom he had praised shortly before her departure, writing at the time: "We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future."
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