Pete Hegseth’s ability to remain defence secretary and keep directing the Iran war is now at the centre of a fight over impeachment, after Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections.
Vice President J.D. Vance said after the election that the war in Iran had caused the Republican defeat, and that Trump agreed.
The pressure had been building since September, when Representative Thomas Massie, an outgoing libertarian-leaning Republican from Kentucky, introduced articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of conducting the war without congressional authorisation. The pending resolution also accuses Hegseth of illegally conducting the war without Congress’s approval, and the House is expected to vote on it.
Massie, whom Hegseth campaigned against and helped defeat in his primary, has promised to reintroduce articles next week. He has also accused Hegseth of waging the Iran war and seizing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro without congressional approval.
Tuesday’s result left Democrats set to take substantial majorities in both chambers when Congress convenes in January. Many Democrats have signalled that they could seek Hegseth’s impeachment when they return to power with one of the largest House majorities since at least 2008. The Republican-held Senate’s position on a trial remains unclear, while next year’s Democratic-controlled Senate would likely hold one.
After the election, Trump privately told advisers that he had “gone negative” on Hegseth and was considering whether to replace him, according to administration insiders. They said he was frustrated by projections that suggested a rapid victory in Iran. Those insiders believe Hegseth could lose his job after the Republican defeat.
One administration official said, “Ricky isolated [Hegseth] from other advisors who could have given him better advice on the war.” The official said the advisers excluded included other service secretaries, under secretaries and people with extensive experience.
Trump’s public position was warmer. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the day after the election, he said Hegseth was “doing a very good job”. On Thursday, Trump said Hegseth had “done a fantastic job”.
On Thursday, Hegseth posted a nearly six-minute video from outside the Pentagon on his Twitter account. The Pentagon also uploaded it. “Just like the president. We don't back down. And that especially applies now,” he said.
Hegseth called the Iran war “courageous and historic” and described the impeachment threat as “politics of personal destruction”, comparing it with Trump’s two impeachments. His spokesman, Sean Parnell, said on Wednesday that Hegseth intended to stay in office through Trump’s term.
Democratic leaders have pressed for his removal. Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, asked in a post: “Why is Pete Hegseth still around?” Adam Smith, the Democratic representative from Washington state who is expected to lead the House Armed Services Committee in the new Congress, told CNN that Hegseth was “not qualified” for the job.
Rumours have also swirled that Hegseth could leave the administration for an appointment from Tennessee Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn to fill her soon-to-be-vacant old Senate seat. Whether Trump ultimately dismisses him, and whether Hegseth would accept such an appointment, remain unresolved.
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