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Tata, in turn, reported through the Defense Department’s leadership structure to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, Hegseth’s second-in-command.
The report immediately sparked speculation that another heavyweight might join what could become a crowded Republican presidential field.
The Pentagon is strongly disputing the story, however, and Hegseth himself responded with an emphatic denial after it was published.
“All other speculation is foolish,” the statement added.
Hegseth personally responded after the report was published and was even more forceful in his denial.
“We told NBC that, but they just lie w/ anonymous ‘sources,’” he added.