U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says he will hold a rare news conference on Tuesday to respond to a House impeachment effort led by Rep. Thomas Massie.
The Story
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he will hold a rare news conference on Tuesday, his first in more than 180 days, as a House impeachment vote over his role in U.S. military actions is pushed forward by Rep. Thomas Massie.
Massie, a Kentucky Republican, moved Monday to force a vote on an impeachment resolution after the measure opened for the first day of sessions following the midterm elections. The resolution focuses largely on the war in Iran and also includes references to Hegseth’s role in carrying out military actions in Yemen and Venezuela.
Hegseth stepped up his public defence ahead of the vote, telling reporters that he is “happy to do it all day long” if opponents want to “litigate” the military actions taken by the Trump administration.
Massie said Hegseth’s actions amounted to “high crimes and misdemeanors,” and that he “knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders,” adding that Hegseth “remains a threat to the Constitution.”
In response to Massie’s effort, President Donald Trump attacked Massie personally, calling him a “loser” who “has a lot of hatred in his heart.”
Hegseth said the war was necessary because “someone had to confront the Iranian regime’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon,” and argued that “the choice was don’t act and wish it away or take a bold move.” He also said “Iran is devastated,” despite Iranian forces continuing to strike military bases used by the United States, causing billions of dollars in damage, and striking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, described as a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries supports the measure, and Sen. Chuck Schumer endorsed the impeachment push, saying, “Hegseth must stand trial before the Senate.” Republicans remain in the majority in both the House and Senate until the new Congress convenes in January with Democrats in control.
If the House votes to impeach, the process would move to the Senate to either dismiss the charges or hold a trial. House Speaker Mike Johnson said impeachment “in the middle of hostilities abroad would be a terrible, terrible look,” while Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was unsure why the vote is being held now.
← More stories