At Pentagon briefing, Pete Hegseth decries impeachment push, defends Iran war handling amid depleted munitions

Hegseth attacks impeachment effort

Hegseth described the impeachment push by outgoing Republican congressman Thomas Massie as a “political spectacle.” At the Pentagon on Tuesday, he called it a farce and a stunt. Massie reintroduced articles of impeachment on Monday. The effort concerns the war with Iran and other military actions ordered by President Donald Trump. Hegseth said the move sends a dangerous message to U.S. enemies around the world.

Hegseth invokes past impeachments

Hegseth said Trump had faced two earlier impeachment efforts, which he said failed, and predicted Massie’s effort would fail as well. He said he would accept being in the same company as Trump if standing with the president led to that outcome.

The renewed push is directed at Hegseth, a member of Trump’s Cabinet. Massie is an outgoing Republican representative from Kentucky.

War extends beyond initial timeline

Hegseth offered a positive assessment of the U.S. position in the war. Trump had called the conflict a “minor incursion” expected to last four to six weeks, but it has continued into its ninth month.

U.S. munitions are depleted, and Republicans suffered massive losses in the midterm elections amid high gas prices and inflation. The article provides no further details on Hegseth’s assessment of the war’s standing.

Secretary cites military actions

Hegseth defended his record as secretary and listed accomplishments related to the war with Iran. He also cited operations in Latin America targeting alleged drug boats. He pointed to a secret military effort to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro and his wife face charges in the United States, which he has denied.