Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Nov. 10 responded to the articles of impeachment introduced against him, calling them a political stunt by a Republican lawmaker over “policy disagreements.”
“None of these are high crimes or misdemeanors. They’re partisan policy disagreements from people who want to politicize our military,” Hegseth told reporters.
Hegseth’s press conference, his first in six months, was held one day after Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced articles of impeachment against him in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hegseth described Massie’s impeachment effort against him as a “political spectacle” and a “personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment.”
“It’s a farce, and it’s a stunt, and everybody knows it,” he said.
The secretary of war told reporters that he stands behind all of the military operations the Trump administration has carried out, including Operation Absolute Resolve, Operation Midnight Hammer, Operation Rough Rider, and Operation Epic Fury.
“I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again,” he said.
While introducing the articles of impeachment on the House floor on Nov. 9, Massie said Hegseth had committed “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
The meaning of the phrase “high crimes and misdemeanors” is not defined in the Constitution, leaving room for lawmakers to determine what actions are considered impeachable acts.
Massie’s articles of impeachment included allegations of engaging in a war in Iran without a declaration authorized by Congress, continuing the conflict after Congress directed the removal of U.S. forces, and continuing operations in Iran after the expiration of the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day termination period and any potential 30-day withdrawal period.
The other charges include allegations of ignoring laws intended to minimize civilian casualties, kidnapping a foreign leader, carrying out extrajudicial killings, conducting an unlawful war in Yemen, and suppressing free speech by retaliating against comments made by Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
The Hegseth impeachment push has received support from Democratic leaders including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
“Pete Hegseth has abused his power, undermined America’s national security, and he’s the architect of the reckless and costly failed war of choice in Iran, which has skyrocketed gas prices on everyday Americans, made the country less safe, and Iran is stronger now than they were before operation epic failure, led by Pete Hegseth, began,” Jeffries said during a Nov. 9 press conference.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Hegseth said the Department of War makes no apology for “putting American lives first.”
“For the first time in American history, a Cabinet secretary overseeing America’s military is being attacked not for losing conflicts with our enemies, but for winning them,” Hegseth said.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, President Donald Trump called for Congress to “stand up” for Hegseth amid the impeachment effort.
“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.”
Hegseth said the impeachment articles introduced by Massie “mock the Constitution,” attack America’s chain of command, and criminalize U.S. warfighters carrying out lawful orders. He suggested the impeachment effort gives America’s adversaries a “propaganda victory” and wastes the time of congressional lawmakers.
The secretary of war said the impeachment resolution also signals to Iran, the cartels, and America’s adversaries that the United States “will actually punish its own warriors and its own civilian leadership for successfully executing lawful military operations.”
“This is not patriotism. This is sabotage,” Hegseth said.
Massie announced in an X statement that the House will vote on the Hegseth impeachment resolution on Tuesday. The Republican representative said the first vote will be on a procedural motion to “kill the resolution.”
“If we can overcome that effort, we will proceed to a real debate and vote on the Articles of Impeachment,” Massie said.
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