That would require him to step down as Pentagon chief, teeing up a major leadership change, albeit one that may be welcomed by some in the Department of Defense, where Hegseth’s purported paranoia and erratic moves have rankled White House officials and alienated staffers. It has all been enough that his allies apparently staged an intervention.

The Pentagon’s chief spokesman Sean Parnell denied that Hegseth has ambitions of political office, and said the former Fox News host’s focus “remains solely on serving under President Trump.” Parnell said the sources are either “imaginary” or the news station was “getting punked.”

The defense secretary has talked privately about running a campaign in Tennessee, sources told NBC News. The Pentagon said Hegseth’s “focus remains solely on serving under” Trump.