Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly considering running for office in Tennessee next year, a decision that would require him to resign from his post.
NBC News reported on Wednesday that Hegseth mentioned potentially running for governor in the state where he leaves and which has an open race next year.
However, the outlet added, there are eligibility requirements that Hegseth might not meet as a candidate.
Two sources consulted by NBC News said they discussed eligibility requirements and his actual chances of winning. They added it is not clear whether the official has made a final decision on the matter, but he has definitely contemplated it. Others close to the official said he doesn't plan to launch a campaign.
Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said "Hegseth's focus remains solely on serving under President Trump and advancing the America First mission at the Department of Defense."
"Fake news NBC is so desperate for attention, they are shopping around a made up story... again. Only two options exist: either the 'sources' are imaginary or these reporters are getting punked," he added.
Hegseth ran for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2012, withdrawing from the race after failing to win the Republican nomination.
The Defense Secretary has been embroiled in different controversies since taking office. He reportedly shared highly sensitive information related to an attack against Yemen's Houthi rebels in a Signal chat that he got from an email labeled "SECRET."
The Washington Post noted last week that its report contradicts claims by the Trump administration that no classified information was shared in the messaging app, which got Hegseth in hot water earlier this year.
The messages, shared in two different Signal groups, were posted by an account associated with Hegseth on March 15 shortly before the attack was conducted. It involved strike plans shared by Gen. Michael Kurilla, the commander overseeing U.S. military operations in the Middle East, in a classified email.
Politico reported earlier this month that two top Hegseth aides are being investigated for their roles in the controversy known as "Signalgate." It added that the Defense Department Inspector General's office in April opened an investigation to determine whether Hegseth violated agency standards with his actions.
The White House has also reportedly directed Hegseth to stop using polygraph tests to search for people who have leaked inside information to news media.
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