Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Slams Impeachment Push as an Attack on Troops Amid Iran Conflict
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth condemned a congressional impeachment resolution as a cynical political stunt, arguing that it sends the message that the United States turns on its own service members instead of holding power to account.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth responded angrily to a resolution introduced by outgoing Republican Representative Thomas Massie that seeks his impeachment over the conduct of U.S. military operations in Iran, Yemen and Venezuela. In his first media briefing since May, Hegseth framed the move as a partisan spectacle and insisted that no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense has ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military actions in the nation’s 250-year history.
"In the 250 years of our American republic, no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense has ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military operations," Hegseth said.
He dismissed the impeachment effort as a political stunt rooted in personal grievances, warning that it would smear U.S. troops as criminals and punish service members for doing their jobs. Hegseth also defended the ongoing war with Iran, claiming that history will eventually judge the conflict differently and stressing that the United States did not start it.
"We didn't start this war. Iran did 47 years ago," he said.
The resolution, filed by Massie after losing a primary race backed by President Donald Trump, accuses Hegseth of “high crimes and misdemeanors” related to operations in Iran, Yemen and Venezuela, though the Constitution does not define the term. Hegseth said he stands behind every operation and would repeat them if asked.
"I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow," he said.
He warned that the impeachment move could chill morale across the military, calling service members heroes whose work should never be branded criminal.