‘GOT TO GO’

CNN Data Guru Spots Ominous Sign for Pentagon Pete’s Future

Harry Enten sounds the alarm over Pete Hegseth’s plummeting popularity.

Pete Hegseth could be the next Trump Cabinet secretary heading for the exit, and CNN data guru Harry Enten has the numbers to explain why.

The Pentagon chief’s net approval rating stands at a staggering minus 29 points, according to Enten’s analysis, putting him below President Donald Trump (-24), former Attorney General Pam Bondi (-20), and ex-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (-16), with the latter two figures recorded before their dismissals.

“There’s good reason to believe that he might not be sticking around for too long,” Enten warned, pointing to a bleak political outlook for the former Fox News personality.

The numbers are also worse than those of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, whose net approval stood at minus 25 before Republicans suffered sweeping losses in the 2006 midterm elections amid mounting opposition to the Iraq War, after which Rumsfeld resigned.

For Enten, the historical comparison was difficult to ignore.

“It kind of feels like, to quote Yogi Berra, ‘Déjà vu all over again,’” he said.

The warning comes after a devastating midterm defeat for Republicans, with Democrats reclaiming control of both chambers of Congress and making significant gains in traditionally Republican territory.

The tide had been turning against Trump and his party since he launched his deeply unpopular war with Iran, which has sent energy prices soaring.

PETERING OUT

Pentagon Pete Wakes to a Nightmare After Election Disaster

Tom Latchem

The conflict has also sent Trump’s approval ratings plunging to record lows, with Hegseth apparently suffering a political beating of his own.

Trump has already reshuffled his inner circle following the electoral losses, removing chief of staff Susie Wiles and installing Stephen Miller in her place. Now, Hegseth faces mounting speculation that he could become the administration’s next high-profile casualty.

The defense secretary’s position could become even more precarious when Democrats take control of Congress in January. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has thrown his support behind an impeachment effort targeting Hegseth over his handling of the Iran conflict.

On Sunday, Jeffries told ABC News he was a “hard yes” on a resolution spearheaded by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who has vowed to force an impeachment vote.

“The so-called secretary of defense has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran,” Jeffries said, adding bluntly: “Pete Hegseth has got to go.”

Trump, meanwhile, has publicly defended Hegseth, even as reports suggest the president has privately questioned whether the defense secretary should remain in his post following the midterm rout.

But Hegseth faces another troubling sign, as voters are increasingly turning against Republicans on the very issue he is supposed to oversee: national security.

Enten pointed to a striking reversal in voters’ trust in the two parties on handling wars, conflicts, and terrorism. In January 2025, Republicans enjoyed an 18-point advantage over Democrats on the issue, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.

By October 2026, Democrats had flipped that advantage, leading Republicans by five points—a 23-point swing.

“This is a 23-point switcheroo, my goodness gracious,” Enten said.

RANK DISGRACE

Pentagon Pete Hit With Explosive Leak as Knives Come Out

Ewan Palmer

He warned that the shift could spell serious trouble for Hegseth as Democrats prepare to wield congressional power.

“This potentially equals major trouble for Pete Hegseth when it comes to this new Democratic Congress that’s coming in January, and it may, of course, happen before then,” Enten added.

When reached for comment, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell told the Daily Beast: “Secretary Hegseth will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points or launch phony investigations where no wrongdoing exists.”

“The Department of War has followed the law and our Secretary will continue to stand and fight every single day to support and defend the Constitution, lead our troops, and protect America,” he continued. “We will continue to drive President Trump’s agenda at the Department of War—despite threats of sham witch hunts from Democrats—and Secretary Hegseth is 100 percent committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump’s term in office.”

See more of our coverage in your search results.

ADD THE DAILY BEAST ON GOOGLE

Martha McHardyReporter

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.