Hegseth dismisses House impeachment effort as vote nears

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday rejected an effort in the U.S. House to impeach him. Speaking at the Pentagon, he argued that the push targets lawful military operations and the service members who carried them out.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who is leaving Congress after losing his May primary to a Trump-backed challenger, filed the articles of impeachment on Monday. Source NM reported that they accuse Hegseth of waging unlawful war against Iran, ordering extrajudicial killings and disregarding laws meant to limit civilian casualties. Three of the articles allege violations of the 1973 War Powers Resolution. OPB, carrying an Associated Press report, said the resolution centers on Iran but also references military actions in Yemen and Venezuela.

A House vote could come as early as Wednesday, with a procedural vote expected Tuesday, according to Source NM. The outlet said Democrats and some Republicans are expected to back the measure. It added that Republican leaders may try to sidetrack it, for example by referring it to a committee.

Hegseth, at what OPB described as his first Pentagon briefing since May, called Massie a defeated and disgruntled lawmaker staging a political spectacle. "It's a farce and it's a stunt and everybody knows it," Hegseth said, as reported by Source NM. OPB reported that he described the effort as rooted in policy disagreements rather than high crimes.

Massie told reporters Monday that Hegseth's conduct had put Americans at risk. He cited a follow-up strike on survivors of a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, according to Source NM. Hegseth has denied ordering that strike but has said he supported it. "Pete Hegseth is obligated to follow the laws on the books, not the laws that he wants to follow," Massie said, according to Source NM. Massie has said he would drop the effort if Hegseth resigned.

The House needs only a simple majority to impeach. Removal would require 67 votes in the Senate, which currently has 53 Republicans, Source NM noted. Democrats are set to take control of both chambers in January. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he strongly supports the articles.

President Donald Trump has defended Hegseth, crediting him with the January raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and with operations against Iran. Trump urged Congress on social media to support Hegseth.

The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February. Iran has since fired on U.S. bases and disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up energy prices, both outlets reported. Eighteen U.S. service members have died in the conflict, according to Defense Department data cited by Source NM. OPB reported that many Republicans partly blamed their losses in last week's midterm elections on the war.

A Pentagon spokesman said Hegseth intends to remain in the job through the end of Trump's term.

Compiled by True News from reporting by Source NM, Louisiana Illuminator, West Virginia Watch and OPB. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/935