OMM Newsroom
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called the impeachment campaign against him politically motivated and said he will not resign. Amid growing criticism of his handling of the Iran war, he pledged to fight efforts to impeach him.
Hegseth defended his leadership of the Pentagon in a video posted on social media on Thursday, November 5, AnewZ reported. He described the military campaign against Iran as a “bold and historic effort.” The remarks came as the Trump administration faced political pressure.
Days after Republicans suffered significant losses in the midterm elections, Vice President JD Vance linked the result to the unpopular war.
Democrats, who took control of Congress in Tuesday’s elections, have pledged to investigate Hegseth’s leadership, including his dismissal of senior military officers.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned why the defense secretary was still in office. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie said he would reintroduce articles of impeachment next week.
Massie wrote on X that Hegseth could face tougher investigations after Democrats take control of Congress next year: “They will hold hearings and trials.”
Trump backs defense secretary
Rejecting the allegations, Hegseth called the impeachment campaign “fake” and stressed that he would not back down: “You see, they’re attacking me — they’re attacking us — because we’re effective. It’s not going to work. We’re not backing down.”
Despite the debate over Hegseth’s future, President Donald Trump voiced his support for him on Thursday, calling his performance “fantastic.”
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump suggested that the dismissal of several senior generals had fueled opposition to Hegseth’s leadership. He also praised the defense secretary’s role in U.S. military operations in Venezuela and Iran, claiming that American forces had achieved their objectives.
The White House has dismissed rumors that Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio could leave their posts, amid a post-election reshuffle of the Trump administration. However, reports suggest Hegseth’s position is not fully secure. One Trump adviser said the defense secretary “could be removed” as the administration weighs the political consequences of the Iran conflict.
$1.5 trillion defense budget under discussion
As the administration seeks approval for a $1.5 trillion defense spending package, Hegseth is also facing mounting pressure over his strained relations with lawmakers.
He has urged members of Congress to support the funding proposal, saying rebuilding the military is essential regardless of their views on the Iran war: “Regardless of how people think about the war — I believe this is a bold and historic effort to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon — we must continue rebuilding our military.”
The defense secretary could also face further investigations into U.S. policy on Ukraine and strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in Latin American waters.
Democrats have said the investigations will cover issues beyond the Iran war. Adam Smith, who is expected to lead the House Armed Services Committee next year, has promised rigorous oversight of the Pentagon’s conduct, as well as of what he regards as the weakening of the military’s “apolitical foundation.”
As pressure mounts from both sides of the political spectrum, Hegseth’s position is becoming an increasingly difficult issue for the Trump administration.
