White House reportedly considers potential replacements for Hegseth’s deputy

Saturday 05 September 2026 - 11:00

By: Azzat Manal

White House reportedly considers potential replacements for Hegseth’s deputy

The White House is reportedly examining possible candidates to replace Steve Feinberg, the deputy to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to sources cited by Reuters, as the Pentagon faces potential personnel changes and the departure of several senior officials.

The discussions are said to have started in June and included consultations with prominent members of the US Senate to assess whether potential nominees could secure enough support for confirmation. One source indicated that the review of possible candidates continued through late August.

Reuters did not establish when the White House first began considering alternatives to Feinberg and did not identify the individuals reportedly being examined. The reasons behind the review also remain unclear, while sources stressed that no decision has been made to remove Feinberg from his position.

The White House rejected the report. Spokesperson Anna Kelly dismissed the claims attributed to anonymous sources and said President Donald Trump appreciates the work of Hegseth, Feinberg and Defense Department personnel.

The Pentagon likewise denied that an active process was underway to replace Feinberg. Hegseth told Reuters that his deputy has his full backing and praised Feinberg for his efforts to strengthen the US defense industrial base and ensure that the military’s requirements are met.

If Feinberg were to leave his post, his departure would represent one of the most significant changes within the Defense Department since Hegseth became secretary. The speculation follows the departure of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, Navy Secretary John Phelan and several other senior military officials in recent months.

Feinberg has been involved in efforts to accelerate US ammunition production at a time when the defense industry is under pressure to expand manufacturing capacity. Industry executives have argued that delays in congressional funding approvals are making it more difficult to achieve the production targets sought by the administration.

The reports come as the Pentagon continues to navigate major organizational changes while Washington seeks to strengthen the country’s defense manufacturing capacity and ensure that the US military can respond to growing strategic demands.