'Don't fire somebody without backup': CNN guests react as Trump mulls ditching Hegseth

CNN panelists reacted to new reporting from the network that President-elect Donald Trump is weighing replacing his embattled Pentagon chief nominee with three names.

Fox News weekend co-host Pete Hegseth's nomination has come under fire following revelations of a 2017 rape allegation against him and reports from his colleagues that he had a drinking problem. CNN anchor Abby Phillip reported, citing anonymous transition sources, late Tuesday that Trump is now considering swapping out Hegseth for one of the following: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) or Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN).

The news comes ahead of a planned interview on Wednesday between Hegseth and his colleagues at Fox News as he tries to salvage his nomination.

"It's never a good position to be in when you say yes to something this massive knowing full-well things are going to come out," said Republican strategist Scott Jennings. "You always want to be honest when you're being vetted for the — you just want to be honest and say, 'If you give me this, here's what's going to happen.' And if that didn't happen here, I can see why they were annoyed."

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Jennings offered Trump's transition team a word of advice: "If you're going to dump him, don't dump him in a way like — go ahead and have your plan B ready to go that instant. Don't fire somebody without your backup right away."

Elliot Williams, a former federal prosecutor, added that at least four or five senators have expressed skepticism over Hegseth.

"It just doesn't look like he's got the support he needs," said Williams.

Leigh McGowan, a political content creator known as PoliticsGirl, chimed in its important that the Senate abide by its Constitutional obligation to advise the president on his nominations and give consent.

"I think it's really important that people remember the Senate is a co-equal branch of the government. Their job is to watch and see and confirm the nominees. They're not just there to rubberstamp it. Their job is to actually look into it, which is why we need the FBI background checks, which is why we need the hearings."

Watch the clip below or at this link.