Hegseth faces House impeachment vote amid Iran war fallout
The defense secretary holds his first Pentagon press briefing in six months one day after a Republican filed a resolution to remove him.
By Nadia Rahman ·
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will address reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday, his first news conference there since May. The appearance comes one day after a House member filed a resolution to impeach him, a move that could lead to a vote by midweek.
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced the impeachment resolution on Monday. The document cites Hegseth's handling of the war against Iran as the primary basis for removal. It also references military operations in Yemen against Houthi rebels and actions in Venezuela. Massie described Hegseth's conduct as "high crimes and misdemeanors" that warrant impeachment.
The filing follows significant losses for Republicans in last week's midterm elections. Many party members attributed the defeat to the Iran conflict and its effect on the economy. The resolution puts pressure on House Republicans to decide whether to remove a senior figure in President Donald Trump's administration.
Hegseth has prepared for the scrutiny by launching a social media campaign. In a speech at the Naval War College in Rhode Island on Monday, he said he is ready to defend his actions and the president's from "politically motivated people." He added that if the administration wants to litigate the military decisions, he is "happy to do it all day long."
President Trump has backed the defense secretary, citing the January raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump also pointed to strikes that he said "obliterated" the Iranian navy and air force. However, Iran continues to attack U.S. military bases in the Middle East and has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz during the eight-month conflict, which has raised global oil prices.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's top spokesman, said Hegseth remains "100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump’s term in office." Parnell noted the commitment despite what he called "threats of sham witch hunts from Democrats."
Scores of Pentagon political appointees shared images of Hegseth with the words "Stand. Fight. Defend the Republic" on social media following his comments.
