Veteran political commentator Bill Kristol said that Donald Trump might be showing less confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, suggesting that Hegseth’s time in his position might be ending soon. Kristol pointed to Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, where he announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as a key sign that Hegseth could be in trouble. In the message, Trump talked about his talks with Joseph Aoun, the president of Lebanon, and Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel. He wrote, “I just had great talks with the highly respected President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel. These two leaders have agreed that in order to get peace between their countries, they will start a 10-day ceasefire. The two countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.”
Trump then explained who would be in charge of keeping the ceasefire going, but he didn’t include Hegseth.
He said, “I have told Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, along with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve lasting peace. It has been my honor to solve nine wars around the world, and this will be my tenth, so let’s get it done! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Kristol said that not including Hegseth in the list of people Trump was sending to handle the ceasefire, along with Caine taking his place, was a big deal.
He wrote, “The omission of Hegseth from the list of those Trump directs to work on the ceasefire (and his replacement, as it were, by Caine), along with Driscoll’s support of Gen. George earlier today, makes me think Hegseth’s days are numbered.”
Kristol also mentioned comments from Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who expressed regret over Hegseth firing former Army chief of staff Randy George.
During a House hearing, Driscoll said, “I was in North Carolina when Gen. George was asked to put in his resignation paperwork, with my family for my kids’ spring break. When we drove back from North Carolina, I drove straight to Gen. George’s house, we walked right in, and we all gave him a hug,” adding he “personally” regretted the firing. Kristol argued that together, these events suggest there is more tension within Trump’s defense leadership.
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