US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has dismissed calls for his impeachment, describing the move as a politically motivated attempt to target the Trump administration rather than a genuine exercise of congressional oversight.
Addressing his first Pentagon press briefing in six months, Hegseth said no US defence chief had ever faced impeachment for conducting lawful military operations, arguing that the current effort sets an unreasonable precedent for military leadership.
He maintained that the impeachment campaign was based on disagreements over policy and military decisions rather than allegations involving constitutional offences such as treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanours.
Citing the history of US military engagements, Hegseth referred to operations undertaken during the presidencies of Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. He pointed to military interventions in Lebanon, Kosovo, Iraq and Syria, arguing that defence chiefs under previous administrations had not been impeached for authorising or overseeing such actions.
Hegseth also launched a sharp attack on Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who introduced eight articles of impeachment against him on Monday. He accused the Kentucky lawmaker of using the process to advance personal and political interests.
Calling the initiative a “farce” and a “stunt”, Hegseth said Massie’s effort was not about accountability but an attempt to damage President Donald Trump and his administration.
The impeachment effort has added another political challenge for Hegseth, who defended his record at the Pentagon while insisting that military personnel and their leadership should not face punishment for carrying out lawful operations.
Massie’s move marks a significant development, as the Republican lawmaker has formally sought to hold a senior member of his own party’s administration accountable through the impeachment process.
