A growing number of Senate Republicans are expressing doubts about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership of the Pentagon, according to lawmakers who spoke anonymously to reporters.

Several GOP senators indicated they have lost confidence in Hegseth's performance and would prefer to see him step aside, though they acknowledged that any personnel decision ultimately rests with President Trump.

The concerns among Republican lawmakers center on what they describe as turmoil within the Defense Department under Hegseth's leadership. However, the senators who expressed these views did so on condition of anonymity.

Some GOP lawmakers suggested that Hegseth would face confirmation challenges if his nomination were to come before the Senate again, though no formal action has been taken.

Hegseth, who was confirmed as Defense Secretary earlier in Trump's administration, has not publicly responded to the reported concerns from within his own party. The Pentagon has also not issued any statement regarding the senators' comments.