Reuters quoted three people familiar with the matter as saying that the White House has examined candidates who may succeed US Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg. This means that the Pentagon, which is already facing an abnormally high turnover rate, may usher in more leadership changes. Two people familiar with the matter said that the review process began in June, and discussions have already been held with senior members of the Senate on whether the nominees can receive sufficient support. One of the people familiar with the matter added that as of the end of August, the review was still ongoing. Reuters was unable to confirm when the White House began considering a successor. According to the report, all three sources said that no decision has been made to dismiss Feinberg from his post. They have neither explained why the White House is reviewing possible replacements, nor have they revealed exactly which candidates are being considered. In response to claims that the White House is reviewing Feinberg's successor, the Pentagon denied it. US Secretary of Defense Hugseth said in a statement that Feinberg has received his full support and “won't go anywhere.” The Pentagon did not provide Feinberg's own comments and declined to arrange for him to be interviewed. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, “These so-called anonymous' sources' have no idea what they are talking about.”

Reuters quoted three people familiar with the matter as saying that the White House has examined candidates who may succeed US Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg. This means that the Pentagon, which is already facing an abnormally high turnover rate, may usher in more leadership changes. Two people familiar with the matter said that the review process began in June, and discussions have already been held with senior members of the Senate on whether the nominees can receive sufficient support. One of the people familiar with the matter added that as of the end of August, the review was still ongoing. Reuters was unable to confirm when the White House began considering a successor. According to the report, all three sources said that no decision has been made to dismiss Feinberg from his post. They have neither explained why the White House is reviewing possible replacements, nor have they revealed exactly which candidates are being considered. In response to claims that the White House is reviewing Feinberg's successor, the Pentagon denied it. US Secretary of Defense Hugseth said in a statement that Feinberg has received his full support and “won't go anywhere.” The Pentagon did not provide Feinberg's own comments and declined to arrange for him to be interviewed. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, “These so-called anonymous' sources' have no idea what they are talking about.”