Pete Hegseth dismisses House impeachment attempt as a political stunt

United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected an impeachment effort against him during a press conference on Tuesday. Fox News reported that Hegseth called the action a political spectacle and personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment. CNN, France 24, and the Financial Times all reported that a Republican lawmaker moved to impeach the defence chief, setting up a vote in the House of Representatives. [1][3][4][11]

Euronews and France 24 reported that Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Monday. Euronews detailed that the charges include alleged violations of the 1973 War Powers Resolution and misconduct involving civilian casualties and military operations in Yemen and Venezuela. Euronews also reported that Massie accused Hegseth of conducting military operations against Iran for more than 90 days without authorisation from Congress. [2][4][5][7]

The impeachment resolution follows recent midterm election losses for President Donald Trump's party, according to Euronews and France 24. Euronews reported that Trump promised to support Hegseth despite the impeachment effort. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Massie previously introduced impeachment articles against Hegseth in September before reintroducing the resolution on Monday. [2][4][7][14]

In January 2026, American forces conducted a military strike in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Fox News noted that Hegseth addressed reporters at his first Pentagon news conference since May, focusing his comments on the conflict with Iran and CENTCOM operations in the Strait of Hormuz. [1][12]