Hegseth Shrugs Off Impeachment Threat: “Didn’t Work Against Trump—and It Won’t Work With Me”
Secretary of WAR Pete Hegseth pushed back Thursday against efforts to impeach him, accusing Rep. Thomas Massie and Democrat lawmakers of pursuing political attacks while President Donald Trump publicly defended his performance.
In a video posted on X Thursday afternoon, Hegseth described the impeachment articles as a sham and compared the campaign against him to the two impeachments of Trump.
Hegseth accused his opponents of using political theater to undermine their rivals, saying their efforts against him would fail.
“It’s all about the politics of personal destruction,” Hegseth said. “Didn’t work against President Trump, and it won’t work with me.”
Massie Threatens Vote Unless Hegseth Resigns
Massie, a Kentucky Republican, has said he plans to call a vote on impeaching the Defense secretary, according to CNN.
In a Wednesday post on X, Massie said Hegseth’s resignation was the one circumstance in which he would refrain from reintroducing his impeachment articles.
On Thursday, Massie escalated his warning, describing his own resolution as a gentler version of what Hegseth could face when Democrats take control of the House and Senate in January.
Massie predicted that the incoming majority would pursue hearings and trials, signaling that pressure on the Pentagon chief could intensify in the next Congress.
Democrat Leaders Turn Up Pressure
Multiple Democrats have indicated they want Hegseth removed following their party’s victories in both congressional chambers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, widely considered the next House speaker, questioned Thursday why Hegseth remained in his position.
The statements point toward a potential confrontation between the incoming congressional majority and the Trump administration over the Defense secretary’s future. The supplied account does not detail the allegations underlying Massie’s impeachment resolution or identify a scheduled vote.
Trump Defends Hegseth
Trump offered a direct endorsement of his Defense secretary Thursday when reporters asked about possible Pentagon staffing changes during an Oval Office appearance.
“Pete Hegseth has done a fantastic job,” the president said.
That public support comes as Hegseth faces pressure from both Massie and Democrat leaders preparing to assume control of Congress.
The next developments will center on whether Massie moves forward with an impeachment vote and whether the incoming majority turns its public criticism into formal proceedings.
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