Washington (CNN) Jim Webb, a former Democratic presidential hopeful, has been floated as a potential permanent replacement for Defense Secretary James Mattis by the Trump administration, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing three officials.

In a Friday afternoon tweet, President Donald Trump denied the report and praised Patrick Shanahan, who is temporarily filling the role.

"I'm sure he is a fine man, but I don't know Jim, and never met him. Patrick Shanahan, who is Acting Secretary of Defense, is doing a great job!"

Mattis stepped down from his role in December following Trump's abrupt announcement that he is pulling troops out of Syria.

Webb served as secretary of the Navy under former President Ronald Reagan, and represented Virginia in the US Senate. He launched a Democratic presidential bid in 2016.

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