This is Ron DeSantis' military experience: Could the Florida Governor be the next Secretary of Defense?

Rumors are circulating within Trump’s circle that President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, may be withdrawn following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. These claims have cast doubt on his ability to pass the Senate confirmation process early next year.

CNN reported earlier today that some GOP senators are uncomfortable with Hegseth’s nomination after further details regarding the allegations, as well as his past struggles with addiction, came to light. A similar pressure campaign previously led the Trump transition team to withdraw the nomination of former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz for U.S. Attorney General. Gaetz was replaced by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi after it became evident he lacked sufficient support within the Republican caucus.

Many Democrats who would have not voted to approve Hegseth because of his political track record have also noted that the new allegations make him additionally unfit, considering the ways in which sexual assault within the Armed Forces is covered up.

If Hegseth’s nomination is withdrawn, many are speculating about possible replacements and what their agenda for the Department of Defense might entail. One potential candidate generating interest is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who previously challenged Trump in the Republican primary. During the campaign, Trump openly criticized DeSantis, perceiving his candidacy as disloyalty to the presumptive party leader. DeSantis faced a significant setback when he failed to win the primary in his own state, a loss that prompted him to quickly endorse Trump when it became clear he had no chance of beating him.

Ron DeSantis’ Career in the U.S. Navy

While attending Harvard Law School, Ron DeSantis became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). After graduating from the Naval Justice School in 2005, he worked as a prosecutor at the JAG Trial Service Office Command in Mayport, Florida. This period was a few short years after the U.S. invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan invasions.

In 2006, DeSantis was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, where he reportedly witnessed the torture of detainee Mansur Ahmad Saad al-Dayfil. The former detainee was interviewed about his experience and the involvement of Ron DeSantis by Democracy Now! earlier this year.

The following year, he transferred to the Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California, serving as a legal advisor to SEAL Team One, a special operations unit. As the Bush administration surged troops into Iraq, DeSantis was among those deployed. There, he worked alongside Dane Thorleifson as a legal advisor for SEAL Command. Upon returning to Florida, he served as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida in the federal court system.

Does He Want the Job?

After failing to defeat Trump in the Republican primary, DeSantis quickly aligned himself with the former president. Although his term as Florida’s 46th governor does not end until 2026, DeSantis may view a federal role as an opportunity to remain politically viable for a 2028 presidential run.

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