U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said an effort to impeach him would fail, as Democratic lawmakers reportedly consider seeking his removal. (Foto: Instagram)
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. secretary of war, said Thursday, Nov. 5, that an effort to impeach him would fail. In a video posted on social media, the Pentagon chief responded to reports that Democratic lawmakers might seek his removal after the party won a majority in Congress in the midterm elections.
“They attack me and they attack us because we are effective. It won’t work. We will not back down. We will always put America and the warfighter first, without apology,” Hegseth said. He added that the dispute would continue in the incoming Congress, particularly over what he called the administration’s “historic and vital” budget.
Hegseth compared the possible effort to the two impeachment attempts against President Donald Trump. He accused a defeated congressman and Democratic allies of pursuing what he called a sham impeachment, and said the effort would not succeed against him, just as it had not succeeded against Trump. CNN International reported that lawmakers could file the request as soon as next week, before newly elected members are sworn in in January.
The prospect of Hegseth’s removal gained attention amid debate over the reasons for Republicans’ losses in the legislative elections. Some Republicans began looking for people to blame, and the administration’s handling of the war against Iran was identified as one factor that hurt the government. Trump and Vice President JD Vance also cited the conflict as a reason for the Democrats’ gains, described as a “blue wave.”
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Trump acknowledged that the war affected the election result, particularly because fuel prices had risen, but said he would make the same decision again. Vance said the war was the reason Republicans lost and noted that Trump had made the same point the previous night.
The conflict has driven up fuel and airline ticket prices and contributed to inflation in the United States. Its cost has been estimated at as much as $100 billion. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 48% of voters identified the cost of living as their top concern, while 55% said the offensive was not worth the expense. A cease-fire attempt failed, and the conflict continues at a lower intensity. The most recent U.S. attack reportedly took place Nov. 2 on Iran’s Qeshm Island.
