Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing intense political backlash over the United States' costly and unpopular war with Iran following the historic drubbing Republicans took from Democrats in this week's midterm elections. But President Trump insisted on Wednesday that he is not considering replacing his Pentagon chief — at least not yet.

"No, I think he's doing a very good job," Trump told reporters.

The president also said he was unaware of a report that Hegseth has been quietly angling to fill the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by Tennessee GOP...