What DeSantis could bring to Trump's Pentagon
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stands on the banks of the Rio Grande in 2023. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Should Ron DeSantis ditch the Florida governor's mansion for the Pentagon, President-elect Trump will gain another tough-on-the-border compatriot with military experience.
Why it matters: DeSantis pledged to wage war on cartels inside Mexico and has sent guardsmen to Texas for the troubled Operation Lone Star. He's a natural fit for Trump's plans to use the military for mass deportations.
- DeSantis also largely aligns with Trump's foreign policy worldview on issues like skepticism over aid to Ukraine and prioritizing competition with China.
State of play: Trump's first pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, an Army veteran and television personality, is under pressure to drop out. DeSantis is one potential replacement.
- The two have personally discussed the matter, according to the Bulwark's Marc Caputo. They have also feuded in the past; think "Ron DeSanctimonious" and "DeSaster."
- It's unclear if DeSantis would take the gig, which would mean leaving the last two years of his term as governor on the table.
- Hegseth, meanwhile, has been furiously reposting support for his own nomination on X. His mother also stumped for him Wednesday morning on "Fox and Friends," and he made his case in writing, on the airwaves, and in meetings with senators.
Context: DeSantis is no stranger to the military.
- He served in the Navy as a judge advocate general, more commonly known as JAG. He deployed to Iraq as legal counsel amid a surge of U.S. troops.
- Both U.S. Central and Special Operations commands are based in Florida, a state he has led since 2019.
Zoom in: While challenging Trump for the GOP nomination, DeSantis advocated a "Pacific-first" foreign policy, focusing U.S. power on countering China rather than issues like Ukraine.
- He also called for making the military less "woke" — a cause Hegseth has also championed — by eliminating DEI initiatives and ending Pentagon contracts with certain "left-wing firms."
What's next: DeSantis, Hegseth or any other candidate will need to be confirmed by the Senate.
- Defense secretary, effectively Pentagon CEO, is among the most important positions to fill.
Go deeper: Sunshine State to West Wing: Florida dominates Trump's administration
