Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected calls for his removal in a video outside the Pentagon as Republican Rep. Thomas Massie prepared to force an impeachment vote and President Donald Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for the embattled military chief.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected mounting demands for his impeachment Thursday, Nov. 5, defending his leadership of the Pentagon and the administration’s military operations against Iran as President Donald Trump dismissed speculation that he was preparing to replace him.
In a nearly six-minute video recorded outside the Pentagon, Hegseth characterized the impeachment effort as a politically motivated attack and declared that he and Trump would not retreat from their military agenda.
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The public response followed Tuesday’s midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, intensifying scrutiny of the administration’s handling of the ongoing war with Iran and its consequences for the American economy.
According to the New York Post, Hegseth defended his tenure in the video, dismissed the impeachment effort and urged Congress to support additional military funding.
The confrontation intensified as Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., announced plans to reintroduce an impeachment resolution against Hegseth when the House reconvenes next week.
Massie told ABC News that he intends to introduce the resolution Monday or Tuesday and believes enough Republicans could support it to secure passage.
The congressman previously introduced eight articles of impeachment in September, accusing Hegseth of unauthorized military action, violations of constitutional responsibilities and misconduct involving the administration’s military operations.
Massie read the 34-page resolution aloud on the House floor for more than an hour before congressional leadership canceled remaining votes ahead of the midterm recess.
The resolution accused Hegseth of acting in a manner incompatible with his responsibilities as defense secretary and called for his removal from office.
Massie’s earlier effort stalled under Republican leadership, but the party’s election losses have renewed discussion about whether enough lawmakers would support impeachment.
Trump defended Hegseth Thursday, rejecting suggestions that the Pentagon chief would be dismissed.
“I have every intention to keep him,” Trump told ABC News.
The president acknowledged hearing complaints about Hegseth but questioned the criticism.
“I get these calls, you know, about him. I don’t understand why,” Trump said.
Trump also criticized Massie, who lost his Republican primary earlier this year after the president endorsed an opposing candidate.
“Massie is a guy who is very destructive and is a very bad guy,” Trump said.
The president had offered a similar assessment Wednesday when reporters asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth.
“No, I think he’s doing a very good job,” Trump said.
The statements came amid growing Republican concerns that the war with Iran contributed to the party’s substantial congressional losses.
According to CNN’s examination of the political fallout, some Republican lawmakers and administration allies privately blamed Hegseth for encouraging the military campaign without adequately preparing for its duration, costs or political consequences.
The conflict has continued beyond initial expectations, contributing to pressure on global energy markets and increasing government military expenditures.
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Wednesday that the war was a major factor in the election outcome, although he did not publicly assign responsibility to Hegseth.
Republicans have also expressed concern about the administration’s communication with Congress regarding military objectives, operational requirements and the prospects for ending the conflict.
Hegseth has defended the military campaign and maintained that the Pentagon is implementing Trump’s national security policies.
The administration has argued that its actions against Iran are necessary to protect American interests and address threats posed by the Iranian government.
Democrats have challenged the administration’s legal authority to conduct the war without additional congressional authorization and have criticized the Pentagon’s handling of military operations.
Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a member of the House Armed Services Committee and an Army veteran, announced Wednesday that he intends to investigate Hegseth.
“I’m going after Pete Hegseth,” Crow said in a social media video. “Not only is he incompetent and corrupt, but he is undermining our national security and the safety of our troops.”
Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., another Army veteran, has also advocated impeachment.
“We’re going to impeach Pete Hegseth,” Ryan told supporters at a recent rally. “We are going to end this war. We are going to bring our troops home.”
Those statements reflect allegations by Democratic lawmakers. No congressional impeachment vote has established wrongdoing by Hegseth.
The Pentagon has rejected claims that its leadership violated the law.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth would continue implementing the president’s agenda despite threats of investigations.
“Secretary Hegseth will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points or launch phony investigations where no wrongdoing exists,” Parnell said, according to reporting on the impeachment dispute.
The administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget has also become part of the dispute.
Hegseth used Thursday’s video to urge lawmakers to support additional Pentagon funding as military operations continue and the department seeks to replenish equipment and munitions.
The Washington Post reported that U.S. Central Command estimated the Iran conflict had cost more than $47 billion through mid-October, including approximately $30 billion in munitions.
Those expenditures have intensified congressional disagreements over military spending, operational planning and the administration’s long-term objectives.
The Pentagon also faces questions about its leadership changes, the removal of senior military officers and the restructuring of programs involving diversity and personnel policies.
Democrats preparing to assume congressional control in January have indicated that they intend to examine those decisions through hearings and investigations.
The possibility of impeachment presents a separate challenge.
Under the Constitution, the House can impeach a Cabinet official by a simple majority vote. Removal from office requires conviction by a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
Because the current Congress remains in office until January, Massie’s planned resolution could receive consideration before Democrats formally assume their newly won majorities.
If the House approves impeachment, the Senate would be responsible for conducting a trial.
The outcome would depend on the votes of senators, including Republicans who have expressed concerns about the war or the Pentagon’s leadership.
Meanwhile, speculation has continued about whether Hegseth could leave the administration for another political position.
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s election as Tennessee governor has created an anticipated Senate vacancy, prompting discussion of Hegseth as a potential candidate for appointment or election.
Trump acknowledged the possibility Thursday and suggested that Hegseth would be popular among Tennessee voters.
However, Pentagon representatives have said the secretary intends to remain in office through the president’s term.
The president’s continued support also complicates efforts by Republican lawmakers seeking a change in Pentagon leadership.
Despite reports that Trump has privately asked advisers about Hegseth’s performance, his public statements have consistently defended the secretary.
The confrontation comes as the administration prepares to work with a Democratic-controlled Congress during the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
Incoming Democratic committee leaders are expected to pursue broader oversight of executive agencies, including investigations involving military operations, government spending and national security decisions.
Hegseth’s impeachment could become an early test of that oversight agenda, although disagreements within both parties may influence the proceedings.
As of Thursday, Nov. 5, Hegseth remained defense secretary, no impeachment vote had taken place and Trump had publicly rejected calls to remove him.
With Massie preparing to reintroduce his resolution next week, the Pentagon chief faces renewed congressional scrutiny while continuing to direct military operations during the Iran conflict.
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