President Donald Trump is reportedly becoming increasingly concerned about the controversies surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite his public support for him. Hegseth is under scrutiny for a military operation involving a 'double tap' strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, which has raised alarms among some lawmakers. This operation is part of a broader anti-trafficking campaign that has been linked to 86 fatalities.

Additionally, an inspector general's report criticized Hegseth for using a Signal chat to share details about a Houthi strike, which could have jeopardized the safety of U.S. personnel. Hegseth has dismissed these findings. While Trump continues to publicly defend Hegseth, unnamed sources indicate that he is privately growing weary of the ongoing scandals and the dissent from certain Republican lawmakers regarding Hegseth's capabilities.

Despite these challenges, officials suggest that Trump may choose to retain Hegseth due to his perceived loyalty and the potential difficulties in securing Senate confirmation for a new appointee.