Hegseth Defies Impeachment Threat as Trump Backs Him After Midterm Losses

Republicans' losses in the November 3 midterm elections have turned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth into a target of anger over the Iran war. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have blamed the election losses on the conflict, which Hegseth strongly advocated, according to the Japan Times.

The criticism extends inside the administration. The Hill reported that Hegseth's internal critics blame him for helping push Trump into a war that contributed to the Republican defeat. Deutsche Welle also linked the electoral backlash to high energy prices.

On November 5, the threat became concrete: Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky said he planned to trigger a vote to impeach Hegseth when Congress returns next week, according to Mint.

The timing matters. KY3 reported that the House could vote as soon as next week, before the incoming Democratic majority is sworn in. That would put the immediate decision before the outgoing House, rather than leave it entirely to Democrats taking control.

Trump publicly defended Hegseth on November 5. ABC News reported that the president said he had "every intention" of keeping him. But CBS News reported, citing sources, that Trump had been asking people around him whether Hegseth should remain in the job.

Hegseth answered his critics in a video issued Thursday, November 5. He vowed to fight impeachment and described the Iran war as "courageous and historic," according to CBC. In coverage published November 6, CBS News reported that he pledged to keep fighting Iran.

Hegseth has Trump's public backing, but the impeachment threat remains pending. NBC News reported on November 6 that he dismissed the renewed House effort, which could bring articles of impeachment as early as next week.

A House vote would not settle the entire process. Al Jazeera reported that Democrats can adopt impeachment articles in the House but would need Republican backing in the Senate. The immediate uncertainty is how many Republicans will support action before the new congressional majorities take office.

The next concrete test is whether Massie follows through when Congress returns and whether the House votes next week. His announced plan, reported by Mint, makes Republican support for Hegseth something lawmakers may soon have to put on the record.

Beyond impeachment, Democrats are preparing to investigate Hegseth's handling of the Iran conflict and other Pentagon decisions, according to News18. Those planned inquiries would keep scrutiny on his record even if the immediate removal effort stalls.