Hegseth reportedly eyes Tennessee Senate seat as impeachment and firing talk grows
Puck reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is interested in a Tennessee Senate seat if Marsha Blackburn wins the governorship. The Pentagon called such speculation foolish, and a former Democratic congressman predicted Trump will fire him after the midterms.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Left · 1Puck reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is interested in succeeding Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn if she wins her race for governor, according to The Independent. The IndependentLC “According to Puck, the secretary is interested in succeeding Tennessee’s incumbent Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn should she win her race to be the state’s next governor” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1Puck reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell, who broke the story, said a person close to the administration told her Hegseth is “absolutely interested.” Raw StoryL “a person close to the administration told her Hegseth is “absolutely interested.”” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 2If Blackburn wins, she would appoint her own replacement in the Senate; Hegseth lived in Tennessee for about three years before taking over the Pentagon. Raw StoryL “she would appoint her own replacement in the Senate, and Hegseth lived in Tennessee for a little under three years before taking over the Pentagon.” Read at Raw Story ↗ The IndependentLC “The former Fox News presenter lived in the Volunteer State for three years” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 2Hegseth attended a University of Tennessee football game in Knoxville on October 17 with Blackburn and Republican Rep. Tim Burchett, who is also said to be interested in the seat; the Knoxville News Sentinel said rumours began circulating after the game. The IndependentLC “He was also seen attending a University of Tennessee football game between the Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on October 17”“Burchett is also said to be interested in succeeding the current senator, according to Puck” Read at The Independent ↗ Raw StoryL “rumors about a Hegseth Senate run began circulating among Republicans after he attended a Tennessee football game earlier this month.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 1The Independent says the interest is driven by fears that House Democrats would open an impeachment investigation after the midterms, or that Trump might fire him. The IndependentLC “over fears House Democrats plan to launch an impeachment investigation into his tenure after the midterms” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 2A Pentagon spokesman told Fox News that Hegseth’s “singular focus is leading the War Department” and that “all other speculation is foolish.” Chief spokesman Sean Parnell earlier told The Independent the department is “solely focused on peace through strength.” Raw StoryL “Hegseth’s “singular focus is leading the War Department” and that “all other speculation is foolish.”” Read at Raw Story ↗ The IndependentLC ““At the war department, we are solely focused on peace through strength and ensuring our warfighters have everything they need to be successful.” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 1Former Democratic Rep. Max Rose, an Army veteran, said on MS NOW that Trump will fire Hegseth the day after the election, comparing it to George W. Bush announcing Donald Rumsfeld’s resignation after the 2006 midterms, and blamed the war in Iran for expected Republican losses. Raw StoryL ““I actually think none of this is going to happen because the day after the election, Donald Trump’s going to fire Pete Hegseth,””“He compared the situation to 2006, when President George W. Bush announced Donald Rumsfeld’s resignation” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 1Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has impeachment resolutions against Hegseth that must be voted on when Congress returns in two weeks, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has vowed to investigate Hegseth if Democrats win the House. Raw StoryL “Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has impeachment resolutions against Hegseth that must be voted on when Congress returns in two weeks.”“House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also vowed to investigate Hegseth if Democrats win the House.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 1Caldwell said some Senate Republicans quietly hope Trump fires Hegseth right after the election, sparing them an impeachment fight and leaving time to confirm a replacement before the new Congress is sworn in. Raw StoryL “That would spare them an impeachment fight and give them time to confirm a replacement before the new Congress is sworn in.” Read at Raw Story ↗
Left · 1The Independent adds that Democrats have reportedly sounded out potential whistleblowers, and that any probe could involve the House Oversight, Judiciary and Armed Services committees and the “Signalgate” group-chat scandal. The IndependentLC “the opposition has already been sounding out prospective whistleblowers”“could revolve around last year’s “Signalgate” scandal” Read at The Independent ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets treat the Puck report as a sign of Hegseth's weakened position, tied to the Iran war and impeachment pressure; Raw Story centres a Democratic critic's prediction that he will be fired.
- Emphasis
- Impeachment threat, the Iran war's costs, possible firing by Trump, and Republican senators' hopes to avoid an impeachment fight.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither includes Hegseth's own response beyond Pentagon spokesman statements; no Republican defenders of Hegseth are quoted.
- Charged language
- “disastrous war with Iran”“reckless war in Iran”“wounded Trump administration”
- For example
-
“culminated in a disastrous war with Iran” — The Independent
“He is the one that has driven this country into this reckless, intractable, prolonged war.”” — Raw Story
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Puck reported Hegseth is interested in a Tennessee Senate seat that Marsha Blackburn would vacate if elected governor.
- Hegseth attended a Tennessee football game with Blackburn this month and lived in Tennessee before joining the Pentagon.
- Hegseth faces possible impeachment efforts or dismissal after the midterms.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether Hegseth will end up in the Senate or out of government
- Left
- The Independent frames the Senate bid as an escape from impeachment or firing; Raw Story carries Max Rose's view that Trump will fire him the day after the election and he will not become a senator.
Pete Hegseth person
Through Pentagon spokesmen, Hegseth's office says its focus is leading the department and that other speculation is foolish; Puck's source says he is interested in the seat.
““all other speculation is foolish.”” — Raw Story
“Hegseth is “absolutely interested.”” — Raw Story
Marsha Blackburn person
Blackburn is running for governor and would appoint her Senate successor if she wins; she attended the October 17 game with Hegseth. No comment from her is reported.
“If Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) wins her race for governor, she would appoint her own replacement in the Senate” — Raw Story
Left2 articles
-
Pete Hegseth eyeing Senate seat as impeachment threat looms: report
Critical Relays Puck's report as Hegseth seeking an exit from impeachment or firing, with critical background on his Pentagon tenure.
-
Hegseth’s Senate hopes collide with grim prediction as GOP senators eye impeachment escape
Critical Uses Max Rose's MS NOW interview to dismiss the Senate talk and predict Hegseth's firing, adding Puck's reporting on Senate Republicans.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 26 Oct 09:49 First The IndependentLC Pete Hegseth eyeing Senate seat as impeachment threat looms: report
- 26 Oct 17:34 +7h 46m Raw StoryL Hegseth’s Senate hopes collide with grim prediction as GOP senators eye impeachment escape
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
Ask about this story
Loading…