Republicans move to shield the war machine by scapegoating Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after midterm losses
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House Republicans are preparing an impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, trying to pin the fallout from the Iran conflict on him while President Donald Trump still backs the secretary.
House Republicans are moving to launch an impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of helping persuade President Donald Trump to unleash military action against Iran. Sources say the vote could come as early as next week and may still advance with support from Republicans who remain loyal to the party's hard-line war footing.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky told CNN he plans to trigger the impeachment proceeding when Congress returns. Several unnamed GOP lawmakers portrayed Hegseth as pushing an aggressive strategy with no clear exit plan, and they argue the conflict has become a drawn-out military engagement that helped drag down the party’s performance in the recent midterm elections.
Vice President JD Vance blamed the electoral setback on the war, though he did not single out any one person. A senior Pentagon official said the “pivot is starting” on the war and Hegseth, framing the effort as a “Department of War-led” initiative.
President Donald Trump has continued to stand by Hegseth, telling aides the secretary is “my best guy.” In a recent statement, Trump said he believes Hegseth is “doing a very good job” and repeated his backing for the ongoing military campaign.
The White House, through spokeswoman Lauren Bis, warned that Democratic investigations would be “sham investigations” and described them as contrary to American interests.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth will not be shaken by partisan attacks and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to President Trump’s agenda through the end of his term.
While some Republicans suggest Hegseth could become a main target for Democratic criticism, others, including Massie, insist the election result cannot be reduced to one issue alone.