US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth has dismissed the impeachment effort against him as a politically motivated campaign, describing it as “a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment.”
Speaking at a press conference at the Pentagon, Hegseth defended his handling of the war against Iran and other military operations, insisting that the allegations raised by Republican Representative Thomas Massie are not impeachable, calling them “policy disagreements, not high crimes, not misdemeanors, not treason, not bribery, not the kinds of offenses the founders intended when they wrote the impeachment clause.”
His remarks came a day after Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against him in the House of Representatives, accusing the Defence Secretary of unlawful military actions and violations of US law.
Hegseth asserted that “the proper remedy for a policy disagreement, it’s legislation, it’s debate, it’s the next presidential election.”
He added that no previous US Defence Secretary had been impeached for carrying out what he described as lawful military operations.
Hegseth rejected the allegations against him, maintaining that the military operations undertaken by the Trump administration were lawful and necessary.
He cited military actions carried out under previous US Presidents from both political parties, including Ronald Reagan’s involvement in Lebanon, Bill Clinton’s intervention in Kosovo, and operations under Barack Obama and Joe Biden in Iraq and Syria.
The Defence Secretary also defended President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran, arguing that the conflict had a much longer history than the current administration.
“We didn’t start this war—Iran did—forty-seven years ago, but President Trump is willing to do what no other President would.
“He did the tough, right thing—not for politics, but for the safety and security of the American people. That’s leadership. He did not kick the can—he kicked their teeth in.”
Donald Trump
Hegseth Frames Impeachment As Attack On Troops
Hegseth also portrayed the impeachment effort as an attempt to undermine American military personnel, arguing that it could weaken the position of service members carrying out orders.
“On the eve of Veterans Day, these resolutions tell every one of them that their service was a crime.
“These are heroes, and no politician in Washington will tell them otherwise while I hold this office. If they want to come for the warriors, they’re going to have to come through me.”
Pete Hegseth
He further argued that the resolution could send the wrong message to countries and groups Washington deems as adversaries including Iran, drug cartels and Yemen’s Houthi movement. “Let’s be clear about what this resolution actually does,” he said, arguing that it could suggest that Congress was prepared to punish American military personnel and civilian officials for executing what he described as lawful operations.
He characterised the effort as an attempt by an individual lawmaker to interfere with national security decisions made by the President as Commander-in-chief. “That is not patriotism. That is SABOTAGE,” Hegseth said.
The Defence Secretary also accused his critics of putting American service members at risk by signalling that Congress could undermine military missions while they were being carried out.
Hegseth Invokes Impeachment Attempts Against Trump
Hegseth drew comparisons between the current effort and the two impeachment proceedings previously brought against Trump during his first presidency.
“We have seen this show before. They impeached President Trump over a PERFECT PHONE CALL. They impeached him again in his final week in office. Both times, they failed.
“Both times, he came back STRONGER — and the American people sent him back to the White House. Now they are trying a third time, this time against a member of his cabinet. They will fail AGAIN. And if standing with President Trump puts me in that company— I’ll take that company every day of the week.”
Pete Hegseth
Hegseth also said he had the support of Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Trump Praises Hegseth’s Response
Trump praised Hegseth’s response shortly after the Pentagon press conference. “Pete Hegseth gets an ‘A’ PLUS, PLUS, PLUS for his defense against a disgruntled, angry, defeated, former Congressman, Thomas Massie, a TOTAL LOSER!” Trump wrote in a social media post.
Trump had previously urged Congress to support Hegseth, describing Massie’s impeachment effort as an attempt to remove one of the administration’s most successful military officials.
Massie introduced the eight articles of impeachment on Monday, citing the administration’s war against Iran, strikes on suspected narcotics vessels, military action in Yemen, the operation involving former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and restrictions on media access to the Pentagon, among other allegations.
The resolution now places Hegseth at the centre of a political dispute over the administration’s military decisions and the limits of executive authority.
While Hegseth maintains that the impeachment effort is politically motivated and that he has acted lawfully, Massie and other critics are seeking congressional scrutiny of the defence secretary’s conduct.
The dispute is expected to intensify as Democrats prepare to assume control of the House in January, potentially opening the way for further investigations into the Trump administration and the management of the Pentagon.
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