Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth forcefully pushed back against a growing impeachment threat and questions about his leadership following Republicans’ sweeping midterm losses, calling the articles of impeachment a “circus” and vowing to continue in the job.
“What one disgruntled and defeated congressman is attempting is not oversight, and it’s not accountability,” Hegseth said Tuesday at a Pentagon news conference, referring to new articles of impeachment filed against him. “It’s a farce, and it’s a stunt and everybody knows it.”
Hegseth’s remarks came a day after Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) formally renewed his efforts to impeach the defense secretary, setting up a House vote on Tuesday. Massie accused Hegseth of violating federal law and the Constitution through his leadership of military operations and other actions at the Pentagon.
Massie, in a post on Tuesday, said the vote would likely be on a motion to refer the resolution to committee, which he said would kill it. “If we can overcome that effort, we will proceed to a real debate and vote on the Articles of Impeachment,” he said.
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Hegseth’s defense also covered the Iran war, whose economic shock waves fueled Republican losses in last week’s midterm elections in which Democrats wrested control of both chambers of Congress.
Instead, Hegseth said that the Iran war will be viewed by history “differently than conventional wisdom right now.” President Donald Trump did the right thing for American security, he continued, not for politics.
Hegseth also claimed that the proceedings against him — which he called a “show trial” — are just a step toward putting American troops on trial for their actions under the secretary.
“If they want to come for the warriors, they’re going to have to come through me,” Hegseth said.
Asked if he called allies on Capitol Hill, Hegseth said there was “a ton of support” among congressional Republicans. “I am grateful that Republicans are taking a real look at this,” he said.
It was Hegseth’s first formal briefing since May, despite continued U.S. military operations against Iran and deadly strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters.
Trump has defended Hegseth, citing the January operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and U.S. attacks that he claims have devastated Iran’s naval and air forces.
But Iran has continued attacking American military installations across the Middle East and disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices higher during a war now in its ninth month. Trump declared Monday that the conflict was effectively over from a military standpoint and again suggested Tehran was eager to negotiate an agreement.
Trump, in a post Tuesday that was published minutes after Hegseth finished briefing reporters, said Hegseth gets an “‘A’ PLUS, PLUS, PLUS for his defense against” Massie, whom the president characterized as “disgruntled,” “angry” and “defeated.”
The first three articles focus on the War Powers Resolution, accusing Hegseth of participating in an unauthorized war against Iran, defying a congressional directive to end hostilities and continuing military operations beyond the law’s 60-day limit.
Other articles accuse Hegseth of dismantling safeguards intended to prevent civilian casualties, authorizing unlawful killings at sea and abusing his authority in seeking to punish Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona).
Despite the push coming from a Republican lawmaker, Hegseth has repeatedly dismissed the impeachment effort as politically motivated and defended the military operations carried out under Trump.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Hegseth called the efforts “noise” and said he would be happy to “litigate” the military actions “all day long.”
Hegseth also heaped praise on the new White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller. Without Miller in the administration, Hegseth said, international commitments to fighting drug cartels and a “secure southwest border” wouldn’t be possible.
“We’ve got no better friend at the Department of War than Stephen Miller,” Hegseth said. “He will fight and defend this republic, and we’re proud to be right there with him all the way.”
The impeachment effort has gained support from House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who announced Sunday that he would vote for the resolution. Several Republicans have publicly questioned Hegseth’s leadership, but Massie has acknowledged that he has no commitments of support from his Republican colleagues.
The House is readying to take up impeachment as Republicans are still reeling from election losses blamed partly on the Iran war. But the outcome remains uncertain.
House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday condemned the effort as a dangerous political stunt.
“Impeaching a Cabinet secretary right now, especially the Department of War in the middle of hostilities abroad, would be a terrible, terrible look, a terrible thing for our allies and our enemies to see that,” Johnson said.
Under House procedure, Johnson must take up Massie’s resolution within two legislative days of his formal notice. Opponents could move to table the measure or refer it to committee, which would effectively kill it.
Massie said Monday he expected House leaders to give Hegseth an opportunity to respond publicly before scheduling a vote.
“I would like to see him go through the eight articles of impeachment and just make the argument from a podium,” Massie said. “You can use notes. Get the lawyers to help you. Tell us why you are not guilty of each of these eight articles of impeachment. I hope that’s what he does.”
Even if Hegseth survives the immediate challenge, he faces extensive congressional investigations when Democrats take control of the House and Senate in January.
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