Speculation is growing that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is at increasing risk of losing his job, raising questions about the possible implications for US-China relations, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, said Hegseth was “on the verge of losing his job”.
They cited the ongoing deadlock over Iran and a slew of negative media reports, with one source pointing to mounting concerns about the welfare of the crew on board the USS Abraham Lincoln. The aircraft carrier has been at sea for nine months, with personnel reportedly facing food shortages and poor sanitary conditions.
The uncertainty comes at a sensitive time for defence relations between the United States and China, which have shown signs of improvement since Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in Beijing in May.
One source familiar with engagements between the two countries’ armed forces said there had been contact at almost all levels during Trump’s second term and relations were the best they had been in more than a decade.