Trump backs Hegseth as Pentagon chief faces impeachment threat

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 23:46 · Archive

President Trump says he intends to keep War Secretary Pete Hegseth despite growing calls for his removal following Republican midterm losses.

President Trump insisted Thursday that he has 'every intention' of retaining Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as pressure grows to remove him following Republican defeats in the midterm elections. Trump told ABC News he did not understand why there were calls to sack Hegseth, who has faced criticism over his handling of the war in Iran, which he has championed as Pentagon chief.

Hegseth faces a bipartisan impeachment threat when Congress returns next week. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and longstanding critic of foreign military intervention, introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September and intends to force a vote using a privileged resolution procedure. Several House Republicans told Fox News Digital they believe an impeachment resolution could pass when it comes to a vote.

Some senior Republicans have suggested Trump should remove Hegseth while Republicans still hold a Senate majority. Retiring Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina nudged Trump to replace him. Meanwhile, Democrats have signaled they plan to pursue impeachment if Hegseth remains in post when the new Democratic-controlled Congress is sworn in on 3 January.

The pending impeachment resolution accuses Hegseth of illegally conducting the war without congressional authorisation. A trial in the current Republican-held Senate is uncertain, but a Democratic-controlled Senate would likely hold a trial next year that could damage the administration.

Hegseth responded to the impeachment threat in a nearly six-minute video message recorded outside the Pentagon. He declared he would not back down, comparing his position to Trump's response to his own impeachment attempts. 'This is not about me, but of course, the other side, in case you've noticed, they're obsessed,' Hegseth said.

How it is being reported

• Defiant Pete Hegseth lashes out in fiery video saying impeachment 'won't work with me' as ouster chatter reaches climaxPete Hegseth broke his silence on impeachment threats in a fiery new video following chatter that he could be ousted from the Trump administration after the midterm elections.Daily Mail · 5 Nov, 21:12
• Defiant Pete Hegseth claps back at foes demanding his impeachment after midterm rompPete Hegseth rejects impeachment push over his Iran war role and urges Congress to fund the Department of War; read what comes next.New York Post · 5 Nov, 21:10
• Hegseth faces bipartisan impeachment threat after Iran war gets blame for GOP midterm slaughterSecretary of War Pete Hegseth faces a bipartisan impeachment threat as House Republicans say a privileged resolution could pass when Congress returns.Fox News · 5 Nov, 16:21
• Trump says he has ‘every intention’ of keeping Pete Hegseth as pressure grows to oust War SecretaryPresident Trump says he intends to keep War Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite growing pressure and potential impeachment over Iran war criticism.New York Post · 5 Nov, 13:12

In this story: Pete Hegseth · Donald Trump · Thomas Massie · Thom Tillis · JD Vance · United States · Iran

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log