Washington DC - Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is reportedly hatching an exit plan in the event that Democrats take back power in the midterms and seek to impeach him.

According to Puck, Hegseth is looking to succeed Tennessee's incumbent Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn if she wins her gubernatorial race against Democrat Jerri Green.

The secretary reportedly hopes that Blackburn – a fellow MAGA loyalist – will appoint him to her vacant seat before Congressional Democrats try to force him out of his role, or President Donald Trump decides to fire him.

Hegseth has faced continued criticism over his controversial leadership, even from Republicans.

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Since his appointment, he has waged a culture war to reshape a supposedly "woke" military by blocking the promotions of several women and people of color, led deadly attacks on alleged drug boats without providing evidence, and tried to stage a public execution that was ultimately called off by Trump.

Democrats have vowed to hold the Trump administration accountable if they win a majority in the midterms, and some have reportedly gathered prospective whistleblowers prepared to speak out against Hegseth.

During an interview with CBS News on Sunday, Representative Jason Crow of Colorado, who sits on the House Armed Services committee, revealed that his number one goal if Democrats take back the House would be to push for Hegseth's removal.

When reached for comment, the Pentagon's press secretary told The Independent, "These speculations are nothing more than beltway gossip by anonymous sources."