That would require him to step down as Pentagon chief, teeing up a major leadership change, albeit one that may be welcomed by some in the Department of Defense, where Hegseth’s purported paranoia and erratic moves have rankled White House officials and alienated staffers. It has all been enough that his allies apparently staged an intervention.

Pete Hegseth's office is quashing rumors that the head of the Department of Defense will be leaving his lofty position in the Pentagon to run for office. Speaking to The Express U.S., the Pentagon slammed the story,

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly considering running for political office next year in Tennessee and stepping down from his Pentagon duties, according to a new report. He allegedly began discussing a potential 2026 gubernatorial run in Tennessee weeks before publicly criticizing the Pentagon’s internal 'Signalgate' review.