On Monday, Republican Representative Thomas Massie initiated a push to conduct a vote aimed at impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, urging his Republican colleagues to make a decision regarding the removal of one of the key figures from the Trump administration following significant electoral defeats.
The resolution for impeachment primarily addresses the conflict in Iran, also touching upon Hegseth’s involvement in military operations in Yemen and Venezuela.
Earlier on Monday, Hegseth expressed his readiness to defend the military actions executed alongside U.S. President Donald Trump against Iran, the Iranian-supported Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the prior Venezuelan leaders.
“If you want to question our actions in Epic Fury or Rough Rider or the capture of Nicolás Maduro, you are questioning the troops and their historic accomplishments,” Hegseth stated to reporters, referencing the military code names for the Iran conflict and the operations to counter the Houthis’ assaults on maritime activities in the region.
Hegseth also declared that he would conduct a rare press conference on Tuesday — his first in over 180 days — concerning the impeachment threat. His previous briefing occurred in May, and he has not addressed the Iran war, the strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels, or other U.S. military operations since then.
The Secretary of War is facing considerable backlash and demands for his resignation after the Iran conflict and its economic repercussions resulted in significant Republican setbacks during the midterm elections, leading to the loss of congressional control for the party. Massie has advanced the impeachment resolution despite opposition from House Republican leaders as the call for Hegseth’s accountability for the conflict gains traction.
Republican congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky speaks to reporters after filing a resolution in the House to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The impeachment resolution largely focuses on the war in Iran but also includes references to Hegseth’s role in carrying out military actions in Yemen and Venezuela.
Hegseth dismisses impeachment efforts as ‘noise’
Following a speech at the Naval War College in Rhode Island, Hegseth downplayed the potential impeachment movement.
“A lot of people motivated by politics may have significant disagreements on policy, but those disagreements stem from success,” he remarked to reporters. He further stated that “if we want to discuss” the military operations undertaken by the Trump administration, “I’m ready to do so endlessly.”
“My team and I are not concerned about the noise — it’s what I told the troops too — don’t pay attention to the noise,” he added.
When questioned about U.S. Vice-President JD Vance attributing the substantial Republican losses in the election to the Iran war, Hegseth pointed out that Trump indicated he would do it again, and “I concur.”
He echoed a statement made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reporters the previous day: “It doesn’t need to be popular, but it can be necessary.”
Hegseth contended that the war was essential because “someone had to challenge the Iranian regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons” and noted that “the options were to either do nothing and hope it resolves itself or take decisive action.”
Hegseth delivered a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, but has not conducted a media availability since May. (Alex Wong/Pool/The Associated Press)
Iran has consistently claimed that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. As per the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, just a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent.
On Sunday night, Trump came to Hegseth’s defense before reporters.
“He is essentially guilty of two things: winning two wars,” Trump stated. “I believe we saved both the Middle East and Israel. It’s difficult to justify impeaching someone who achieved that.”
U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed calls for Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s resignation, despite more Republicans blaming the Iran war for their massive midterm losses. Meanwhile, Democrats are gearing up to flex their new power after taking both houses of Congress.
Hegseth asserts ‘Iran is devastated’
Hegseth affirmed that “Iran is devastated,” despite the fact that the Islamic Republic continues to target military installations in the Middle East utilized by the United States, inflicting billions in damage, alongside commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The disruptions in shipping in this vital passage, through which one-fifth of the globe’s oil flowed pre-war, have resulted in increased energy costs affecting consumers.
He mentioned that the subsequent actions regarding the conflict are determined by Trump, who needs to communicate to Iran: “Hey, we’re finished, and we will monitor your nuclear materials. You had better not relocate them.”
With tensions in Congress escalating, Hegseth has engaged in a social media campaign, releasing a video last week acknowledging the impeachment threat. He characterized it as “purely about the politics of personal destruction” and asserted that “that strategy will not succeed with me. You can count on that.”
In the aftermath, numerous political appointees within the Pentagon have shared images of Hegseth with the phrase, “Stand. Fight. Defend the Republic.” The White House has also released a video on social media featuring Trump’s commendation.
