The White House has forcefully denied claims that it is seeking a replacement for United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The denial follows a report by NPR on Monday that cited an anonymous U.S. official who alleged that the search process had begun.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the report with a post on X, calling it “total FAKE NEWS.” She emphasized, “As the President said this morning, he stands strongly behind Secretary Hegseth.”

The controversy surrounding Hegseth stems from recent media allegations that he discussed the nation's military plans in a Signal chatroom with both U.S. officials and family members. These reports prompted questions about whether any classified information was mishandled.

Hegseth has pushed back against the allegations, stating that no classified material was shared in any chat. His spokesperson reiterated this point earlier on Monday, stressing that national security was never compromised.

President Donald Trump also publicly expressed support for Hegseth, underscoring that he “stands behind” his defense secretary despite the ongoing scrutiny. The White House’s unified defense of Hegseth indicates the administration’s intent to maintain stability within the Department of Defense amid growing media speculation.

While the report has added tension to an already sensitive situation, there is no official indication that Hegseth’s position is in jeopardy. The administration’s firm denial and the president’s personal endorsement aim to dispel uncertainty as the situation continues to unfold.