US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in hot seat after Republican's catastrophic midterm losses

United States defense secretary Pete Hegseth may be the first casualty of the fallout following the Republican Party's resounding midterm election defeat.

CBS News, citing "multiple sources familiar with the matter", reported that President Donald Trump has been canvassing his advisors on whether Hegseth should stay in his job.

Blaming the war with Iran

Hegseth, along with head of U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine appear to be taking the blame for their roles in the Iran war.

Vice President JD Vance has pinpointed the war as a major reason for the Republican Party's catastrophic losses at the polls.

According to CNN, Vance's assessment is shared by many Republican lawmakers and allies, who are arguing that Hegseth played a central role in convincing Trump to launch the attack against Iran without an exit strategy.

Yet, when asked if he would replace Hegseth, Trump told reporters, "No, I think he's doing a very good job".

Hegseth to the Senate?

Hegseth is also likely to face impeachment proceedings, with Thomas Massie, an anti-Trump Republican congressman, planning to trigger a vote to impeach Hegseth next week.

Democrats were already attempting to remove the controversial defence secretary before the mid-term elections.

Hegseth may, however, find a soft landing should he leave his post.

CBS News reported that he could be appointed to fill Tennessee's Senate seat, which will be vacated by Marsha Blackburn when she takes office as governor.