United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has dismissed efforts to impeach him as a “farce”, insisting that he stands by his handling of the war in Iran and other military operations under President Donald Trump.
Hegseth spoke on Tuesday during a press conference at the Pentagon, where he described the impeachment move as a political stunt aimed at undermining his leadership.
“It’s a farce, and it’s a stunt, and everybody knows it,” he said, describing the effort as “slander” and “sabotage”.
The impeachment push comes as Congress prepares for a rare vote over allegations of misconduct linked to US military operations in Iran, Yemen and other regions, as well as the killing of suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
The move was initiated by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a critic of Trump, who introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth.
The articles accuse the defence secretary of engaging in military operations without congressional authorisation, abusing his powers and restricting independent legal reviews within the Pentagon.
The development also presents a challenge to Trump, whose Republican Party suffered major losses in last week’s midterm elections amid public anger over the Iran war and rising fuel prices.
Trump has acknowledged that the conflict contributed to his party losing control of both chambers of Congress.
However, shortly after Hegseth’s press conference, the President publicly expressed support for him.
“Pete Hegseth gets an ‘A’ PLUS, PLUS, PLUS,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The expected House vote comes during the transition period before Democrats take control of Congress in January, while Republicans still hold a narrow majority.
Even if the House approves the impeachment articles, the Senate would require a two-thirds majority to convict and remove Hegseth from office.
Massie, who introduced the articles, is expected to leave Congress after losing his seat. Trump described him as a “disgruntled, angry, defeated former Congressman” and a “TOTAL LOSER”.
Hegseth defends military operations
During the press conference, Hegseth defended US military operations in Yemen, Iran and Venezuela, as well as strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
“I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow,” he said.
He also argued that the impeachment effort amounted to an attack on US military personnel who carried out the operations.
“These resolutions tell every one of them that their service was a crime. Their service was not a crime. These are heroes,” he said.
Several of the impeachment articles focus on the Iran war and accuse Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional consultation on US military interventions.
Hegseth has previously described the conflict as a “courageous and historic effort”.
The 2025 US military campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels is also mentioned in the articles. Massie accused Hegseth of launching the operation without congressional approval and without an imminent threat to the United States.
The Republican lawmaker further described strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific as “extrajudicial killings”.
He also accused Hegseth of discouraging independent legal reviews within the Department of Defence.
Another article accuses the defence secretary of suppressing free speech by attempting to punish Democratic Senator Mark Kelly over a video in which he and other lawmakers urged military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders.
Responding to the allegations, Hegseth said he was prepared to defend the Trump administration’s foreign policy and national security record.
“If they want to talk about… President Trump’s foreign policy and national security record, let’s do it. I’ll see you there. Let’s have a conversation about the success that I outlined here,” he said.
