Hegseth is not under consideration as jockeying begins for Tennessee Senate seat, AP source says

Tennessee's Republican Senate race is heating up, following Sen. Marsha Blackburn's victory in the gubernatorial election. Republican Rep. Tim Burchett, who recently won reelection, has expressed his interest in being considered for the Senate seat when Blackburn transitions to the governorship in January. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is already under scrutiny by Democrats for his role in President Donald Trump's Iran war, is not under consideration for the position, according to an AP source.

Blackburn plans to retain her Senate seat until she is sworn in as governor, allowing her to appoint her own replacement. Speculation about potential Cabinet shuffles has largely focused on Hegseth, who has been a target of congressional Democrats. Trump has not indicated any intention to replace Hegseth, stating that he thinks he is doing a "very good job."