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Pete Hegseth slammed reporting that he plans to oust a top Department of War official.

Reuters reported on Friday that the White House reviewed candidates to replace Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg.

The alleged effort reportedly began in June and included conversations with senior Senate lawmakers about whether the administration’s picks would have enough support to replace Feinberg, sources told the outlet.

One source claimed that the review was still ongoing as of late August.

The sources said no decision has been made to remove Feinberg, and they do not know why the White House was considering replacements or who it was vetting. 

But Hegseth, Feinberg’s boss, rejected the speculation on Saturday in a scathing post on X.

‘The @DeptofWar has never had a better Deputy Secretary than Steve Feinberg,’ he wrote. ‘Stories like these are COMPLETELY false.’

‘Outside forces (i.e. companies he is pressing for results!) want Steve gone because he is so effective in advancing @POTUS’ agenda. His leadership is HISTORIC.’ 

Feinberg was sworn in as deputy secretary on March 17, 2025, and serves as the Department of War’s chief operating officer.

He is responsible for the department’s day-to-day management and executing the Secretary of War’s strategic priorities, according to the Pentagon.

Prior to joining the Defense Department, Feinberg founded the investment firm Cerberus Capital Management in 1992 and served as Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board from 2018 to 2021.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, the Pentagon denied the reporting and praised Feinberg for his leadership. 

‘The Deputy Secretary isn’t going anywhere. Steve is an incredible partner, incredible leader, and someone I am proud to serve alongside every day,’ Hegseth’s statement said.

‘He’s doing a tremendous job for President Trump, for the Department, and for our warfighters. 

‘He has worked tirelessly to rebuild our Defense Industrial Base and ensure our military has everything it needs to win, and I look forward to continuing to work with him. Steve Feinberg has my 100 percent full support, and has since Day One.’

The White House also denied the reporting in a statement to Reuters.

‘These so-called anonymous “sources” have no idea what they are talking about,’ said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.

‘President Trump appreciates the work of Secretary Hegseth, Deputy Secretary Feinberg, and the entire Department of War, whose record of success in Operation Epic Fury, Operation Absolute Resolve, and Operation Midnight Hammer speaks for itself,’ she said, referring to US military operations in Iran and Venezuela.

The Daily Mail contacted the White House for comment. 

It comes as the White House has launched anti-leak polygraph testing on top military officials after details on the Iran war were leaked to the media, according to a report.

Trump’s administration is desperately seeking to find members of the Joint Staff who are allegedly leaking classified details to the press, the New York Times reported.

The Joint Staff has 1,500 to 2,000 officials and officers, and General Dan Caine leads it. It coordinates policy, operations, and war plans with combat commanders worldwide, and Hegseth oversees it.

President Donald Trump has supported the hunt for those who are leaking information, and has gone on to refer to the media coverage as ‘treasonous.’

He said that Hegseth is doing a ‘fantastic job,’ despite growing concern inside the Pentagon.

For months, Hegseth has been cracking down on leakers, as he’s blocked or pushed out promotions of at least 80 admirals, generals and other high-ranking officials.

He has not given a briefing to the Pentagon press corps about the war in Iran since May 5, and has significantly restricted journalists’ access to the Pentagon.

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