{
  "id": 18205633,
  "title": "Trump says Hegseth doing 'a very good job' as questions swirl about his future",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/trump-says-hegseth-doing-a-very-good-job-as-questions-swirl-about-his",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T23:45:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/11/1571087/trump-says-hegseth-doing-very-good-job-questions-swirl-about-his-future"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US President Donald Trump has defended Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's performance, stating that Hegseth is doing a very good job despite questions surrounding his future. This response contrasts with that of former President George Bush, who fired Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld the day after Democrats gained control of Congress in the 2006 midterm elections following voter discontent over the Iraq war. Some sources suggest that Trump might still consider replacing Hegseth, who has been a vocal proponent of the Iran war, as Republicans assess their midterm election losses. Hegseth has faced criticism and impeachment threats from some Republican lawmakers, including accusations of abusing his office by launching hostilities against Iran without congressional approval. Trump has publicly praised Hegseth, stating that he believes Hegseth would be popular if he were to fill the Senate seat vacated by Marsha Blackburn, who is set to become Tennessee's governor in January.",
  "summary": "WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump backed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, a day after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in midterm elections that reflected voter anger over the Iran war.",
  "key_points": [
    "Trump defends Pete Hegseth's performance as Defense Secretary.",
    "Hegseth faces criticism and impeachment threats from Republicans.",
    "Trump believes Hegseth would be popular if he were to fill Senate seat."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Trump's public defense of Hegseth signals a refusal to follow historical precedents of purging cabinet members following midterm losses despite growing internal Republican opposition to the secretary's military actions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Trump says Hegseth doing ‘a very good job’ as questions swirl about his future",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/trump-says-hegseth-doing-a-very-good-job-as-questions-swirl-about-his",
        "published": "2026-11-05T00:22:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Trump weighs replacing Hegseth after midterms loss",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/trump-weighs-replacing-hegseth-after-midterms-loss",
        "published": "2026-11-05T00:23:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Pete Hegseth may take fall for Republicans’ midterm losses, despite Trump support",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/pete-hegseth-may-take-fall-for-republicans-midterm-losses-despite",
        "published": "2026-11-05T00:41:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Trump says Hegseth doing 'a very good job' as questions swirl about his future",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/trump-says-hegseth-doing-a-very-good-job-as-questions-swirl-about-his-18222690",
        "published": "2026-11-05T01:37:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}