Secretary of War Pete Hegseth denounced a Republican-led effort to impeach him during a rare morning briefing at the Pentagon, held one day after the articles were introduced. President Donald Trump later praised Hegseth’s performance.
“What one disgruntled and defeated congressman is attempting is not oversight, and it’s not accountability,” Hegseth said as he opened his remarks. “It’s a political spectacle.”
“That’s what it is: policy disagreements, not high crimes, not misdemeanors, not treason, not bribery — not the kinds of offenses the founders intended when they wrote the impeachment clause.”
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a frequent critic of both Hegseth and Trump, filed the impeachment resolution on Monday. It accuses Hegseth of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” kidnapping a foreign leader and disregarding laws intended to reduce civilian casualties.
Massie read the 34-page resolution on the House floor. The Kentucky Republican, who has opposed Trump on several issues, also criticized Hegseth for sharply restricting media access at the Pentagon.
Trump appeared impressed by the secretary’s defense, writing on social media that Hegseth deserved an “A” PLUS, PLUS, PLUS “for his defense against a disgruntled, angry, defeated, former Congressman, Thomas Massie.”
“Great job by Pete Hegseth — A MUST SEE,” Trump added in a separate post that shared a link to the secretary’s full remarks.
The president’s comments indicate that he continues to stand behind Hegseth, even as Trump has blamed Republicans’ midterm losses on the war with Iran and the effort to remove the secretary from office.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth condemned the GOP-led impeachment effort during a rare Monday morning briefing at the Pentagon
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie spoke at a news conference about the impeachment articles he introduced against US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Monday
Speaking from the podium, Hegseth compared Massie’s impeachment campaign to an attempt to undermine the US military.
“He puts a target on the backs of American warriors by signaling that Congress will undermine their missions in real time. This is not patriotism. This is sabotage.”
Hegseth also argued that the resolution weakens the Pentagon as adversaries look for opportunities to gain an advantage over the US military.
“Let’s be clear about what this resolution actually does. It tells our enemies — Iran, the cartels, every adversary watching — that the United States will actually punish its own warriors and its own civilian leadership for successfully executing lawful military operations.”
Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, his brother, Phil, and his parents, Penelope and Brian Hegseth, were among those with reserved seats at the briefing.
Trump attacked Massie on Monday, calling him “a total loser” during an impromptu press briefing before criticizing him again while defending Hegseth.
“Defeated Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a total loser, is trying to impeach perhaps the most popular and successful military official in the Country, Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth,” Trump wrote.
“With recruitment at an all-time high, from an all-time low under Sleepy Joe Biden, and two victories, Venezuela and Iran, Pete Hegseth should be praised, not impeached.”
Jennifer Hegseth, shown above in blue beside her husband, attended the briefing with the secretary’s parents
Massie is seeking a vote on the resolution this week, likely Wednesday, after Congress returned to session following a midterm-election rout for Republicans.
The Kentucky Republican lost his reelection bid earlier this year after Trump backed and provided resources to his GOP primary opponent.
The bitter feud within the Republican Party intensified after Massie supported legislation to release federal files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a move that angered the president.
The previous Secretary of War impeachment took place in 1876, when William Belknap became the first — and so far only — Pentagon chief to be impeached by Congress.
