Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday dismissed an effort to impeach him as “political theater,” vowing not to back down as a Republican lawmaker prepares to force a House vote next week.
“A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly,” Hegseth said in a five-minute video posted to social media, referring to Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), who is leading the effort.
“It’s all about the politics of personal destruction,” Hegseth said. “Didn’t work against President [Donald] Trump, and it won’t work with me. You can rest assured of that.”
Massie’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Massie plans to reintroduce his impeachment resolution as early as Monday, according to ABC News, reviving an effort he launched in September over Hegseth’s handling of the Iran war and other military operations.
The Kentucky Republican introduced eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of violating the Constitution and federal law, including by conducting military operations without congressional authorization and carrying out unlawful strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels.
The House never voted on the resolution after Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the remaining floor votes before the midterm recess.
Hegseth is under mounting pressure after Republicans suffered bruising losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance have acknowledged that the Iran war played a major role in the party’s defeat.
Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, giving them the power to launch investigations into Hegseth and the Pentagon when the new Congress takes office in January.
Trump, however, stood by his defense secretary Thursday, saying that he has “every intention” of keeping Hegseth despite those calling for his removal.
In the video, Hegseth accused Democrats of targeting him because of his efforts to overhaul the Pentagon, including eliminating diversity programs and removing military leaders.
“They attack me, they attack us, because we are effective,” he said. “It’s not going to work. We will not back down.”
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