The president-elect discussed the role with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, a person familiar with the matter said.

Pete Hegseth spent this week attempting to woo senators — and others — as he fought to remain Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of Defense. He met with wary and supportive lawmakers, his lawyer tried to shoot down misconduct allegations and even his mother went on Fox to defend her son.

Ernst, a senior Armed Services Committee member, said she had not yet gotten to "yes" on the nomination and wanted more investigation of allegations against him, after a lengthy discussion with Hegseth during their meeting on Wednesday.