White House denies Rubio and Hegseth departure reports after Republican midterm losses

The White House and U.S. State Department denied reports that Secretary of State Rubio might leave, calling them "fake news"; Rubio told The New York Times that working for Trump until the end of his term has always been his plan. Defense Secretary Hegseth faces an uncertain political future as Trump and Vice President Vance blamed the Iran war for Republican midterm losses that gave Democrats full control of the House and Senate. Trump said he received calls about Hegseth but fully intends to keep him, praising Hegseth's achievements including the January arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and the nine-month-old Iran war.