Pete Hegseth faces pressure to resign after Republican midterm losses

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is facing pressure over the Republican party's midterm election losses, according to reports by the Guardian and the New York Post. The New York Post reported that Donald Trump has considered using Hegseth as a fall guy for the defeat, while Reuters reported that Trump praised Hegseth for doing a very good job. ABC News reported that Trump dismissed the idea of replacing Hegseth. [1][2][6][10]

CBS News and The Independent both reported that Trump has asked advisers whether Hegseth should remain in his post. The New York Post reported that Hegseth ruled out voluntarily resigning to take an appointment in the Senate. A former senior Pentagon official told CNN that the war in Iran was primarily a Department of War effort because Trump chose to use military action to resolve a foreign policy issue. [1][2][8][9]

The New York Post reported that Hegseth faces an impending impeachment vote for leading the war in Iran without authorization from Congress. Democratic gains in the Senate mean Hegseth would likely face a public trial next year, according to the New York Post. [2]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Democrats made major gains in the midterm elections to take control of Congress, with all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats contested. Hegseth, a US Army veteran and former television personality, has served in his post since 2025. [11][13][14]

CNBC reported that the war in Iran, tariffs, and construction projects in the Washington area will face pushback from newly empowered Democrats. [7]