Defense Secretary Hegseth Dismisses Impeachment Push as a Farce Before House Vote
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blasted the impeachment drive as a farce and tried to reframe his record just hours before the House decides whether the articles can move forward.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth branded the effort to impeach him a "farce" during a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday, only hours before a House vote that will determine whether the articles advance. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, thanked President Donald Trump for standing behind him and said he would be happy to join Trump, who was impeached twice, in the "company" of former impeachments.
The impeachment resolution lays out eight articles alleging "high crimes and misdemeanors," spanning the ongoing Iran war and the January raid that sought to depose Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Representative Thomas Massie, the Kentucky Republican who introduced the articles, said a procedural vote on Tuesday could open the door to a full debate and vote on the articles. By contrast, Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, said he would oppose impeachment.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Hegseth has "abused his power, undermined America's national security, and is the architect of the reckless and costly failed war of choice in Iran." Hegseth pushed back, insisting the war has weakened Iran’s military and that his orders were lawful, while claiming history will judge the conflict differently from current public opinion.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday found that a majority of Americans want the newly Democratic-controlled Congress to act to end the Iran war. Vice President JD Vance, while questioning the war, voiced support for Hegseth, writing on X that the real issue is Hegseth's challenge to Pentagon bureaucracy.
Trump posted on Truth Social after the briefing, praising Hegseth’s defense. If the impeachment goes forward, Hegseth would become the first U.S. defense secretary to be impeached; the last civilian military leader impeached was Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876.
Republicans voiced concern that Hegseth’s strained relations with Congress could complicate the administration’s request for a $1.5 trillion defense budget, up from the current $950 billion. Hegseth urged Republicans to focus on delivering benefits to the American people rather than chasing impeachment drama. Democrats have vowed to investigate Hegseth’s handling of the Pentagon, including the dismissal of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior officers.