Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump has defended Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth against an impeachment effort led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, arguing that the Pentagon chief deserves credit for the military operations in Iran and Venezuela.
“Pete Hegseth won two wars. I don’t know how you can impeach him,” Trump told reporters at the White House. He also criticised Massie, calling him a “loser” and a “sick guy”, and said he should not be taking up Congress’s time.
Massie introduced an eight-article impeachment resolution accusing Hegseth of violating laws and constitutional limits through military operations in Iran, Yemen, Venezuela and other regions.
The allegations include conducting military action without congressional authorisation and violations involving civilian protection. A House vote could take place by Wednesday.
Massie said the current process would be “much gentler” than the hearings and investigations he expects if Democrats take control of Congress next year.
Hegseth announced a rare news conference for Tuesday, his first in more than 180 days, saying he was ready to defend the administration’s military decisions, including operations named Epic Fury and Rough Rider and the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has also backed impeachment, calling himself a “hard yes” and accusing Hegseth of abusing power and undermining national security.
Democrats have indicated plans to scrutinise Hegseth’s Pentagon decisions, Elon Musk’s role in federal workforce cuts and Stephen Miller’s involvement in immigration policy.
Impeachment requires a House majority, while removal from office requires a two-thirds Senate vote. Trump has separately described the Iran war as “militarily effectively over”, while saying he wants a long-term solution to Iran’s nuclear programme.
