Hegseth defiant as impeachment articles filed over Iran war

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before the press at the Pentagon Tuesday morning and declared: "I'm not worried" about the impeachment effort against him. In a press briefing held after months of avoiding reporters, the secretary explained he has no intention of stepping down following the impeachment resolution filed against him in the House of Representatives.

"They tried to impeach President Trump, and they failed. They'll fail again," Hegseth said in a defiant tone. He sharpened his language toward those behind the move, accusing them of undermining the war effort: "This isn't patriotism. This is sabotage."

Addressing US military operations in Iran, the secretary stated: "I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to carry them out, and I'd do it again tomorrow."

Eight articles of impeachment against the Defense Secretary

Articles of impeachment have been filed against Hegseth in the House of Representatives ahead of his possible removal from office.

Behind the impeachment effort stands Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who filed eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Monday. According to reports, Massie accuses the secretary of committing serious offenses while abusing his authority and acting in violation of the Constitution and US law.

At the center of the charges stands the war with Iran, which Massie claims was launched without a declaration of war or explicit congressional authorization. Additional articles address American strikes in Yemen against the Houthis, military activity in Venezuela, and strikes against vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean.

Massie also accuses Hegseth of failing to protect civilians during combat, citing among other incidents a strike that hit a school in Iran early in the war. Another article concerns an alleged attempt to silence Democratic Senator Mark Kelly after he voiced criticism of the administration's handling of military personnel.

According to Massie, this conduct is incompatible with the role of Defense Secretary, and he has called on Trump to replace him before Democrats take control of Congress in January.

Trump stands by Hegseth

President Trump came to his Defense Secretary's defense and attacked Massie. In a post on Truth Social, he called him a loser and argued that Hegseth deserves praise, not impeachment.

Trump pointed to recruitment numbers for the US military and to military operations in Iran and Venezuela, which he presented as successes. He also called on Republican members of Congress: "Stand with Pete!"

House Speaker Mike Johnson also opposed the initiative. According to him, impeaching a cabinet secretary while combat is ongoing abroad would send a deeply problematic message to America's allies and enemies alike.

However, according to earlier reports, despite the president's public support, the White House is already considering the possibility of replacing Hegseth following the Republican defeat in the midterm elections.

Netanyahu, Hegseth and senior American officials in better times. Archive (Photo: Prime Minister's Office)

The vote that could decide his future

The battle is expected to reach the House floor in the coming days. Massie announced that a procedural vote will first be held aimed at stopping the resolution. If that effort fails, a vote will be held on the impeachment articles themselves.

Even if the House approves the impeachment, it does not mean Hegseth will be immediately removed from office: the decision would move to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority would be required for conviction and actual removal.

The timing makes the move particularly sensitive for the administration. Republicans suffered significant losses in the midterm elections, with the Iran war and its economic consequences becoming one of the central issues in criticism against them. Meanwhile, Democrats are already signaling that once they take control of Congress in January, they intend to conduct extensive investigations into Hegseth's conduct and the military command.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has already announced his support for the secretary's impeachment. Thus, even if the current effort fails, Hegseth's future is likely to remain at the center of the political confrontation in Washington.