Accused of taking military action in Iran war without the approval of US Parliament, Republican MP Thomas Massey presented eight impeachment proposals.ред
Washington. America's War Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that he will not back down amid increasing demands for impeachment against him. After President Donald Trump's public support, Hegseth thanked him on social media, saying, “Thank you, Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down.”
Earlier, Hegseth had said that he was not concerned about possible impeachment action. He said his focus is on implementing the President's agenda and meeting the needs of the Defense Department, rather than political rhetoric. He also announced his views on this issue in a press conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday morning.
Trump defended Hegseth during a media briefing at the White House, saying he had done a good job during his tenure and had won two conflicts in Venezuela and Iran. Trump made it clear that he stands with his War Secretary.
The initiative for impeachment against Hegseth has been taken by Republican MP Thomas Massey. He has introduced eight articles of impeachment accusing him of not seeking congressional approval for US military action in Iran and abuse of power as Pentagon chief. Massey alleged that Hegseth knowingly implemented unlawful orders. The resolution also includes allegations of violations of the 1973 War Powers Resolution and military operations in Yemen and Venezuela.
In a conversation with Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna on CNN's program 'The Source', Massey said that some Republican lawmakers may come in support of impeachment after the November 3 midterm elections. According to him, these include those MPs who will not contest the elections and also those who won the elections by a very small margin and want to distance themselves from the policies of the administration.
Massey also said impeachment motions could continue into the next congressional session, while general bills and resolutions expire at the end of the current session. Ro Khanna praised Massey's stance on the issue of Iran war and Epstein files, saying that he has even put his political career at stake for this.
Trump criticized Massey, calling him a 'loser' and saying he should not waste Congress's time. Massey recently lost the Republican primary election to a Trump-backed candidate.
Meanwhile, Democratic Party leader Hakeem Jeffries has also supported impeachment against Hegseth. He said Hegseth abused his power, undermined national security and escalated a costly and unnecessary war in Iran. Jeffries said Hegseth should step down.
However, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson had attempted to block earlier impeachment initiatives. His argument was that impeachment proceedings against a cabinet minister could send a wrong message to allies and opponents while military conflicts continue abroad.
Political pressure on Hegseth has increased amid signs of changing balance of power in Congress after the US midterm elections. Democrats are expected to take control of the House of Representatives and the Senate in January 2027.
This political confrontation comes at a time when Trump recently said that the conflict with Iran from a military point of view is effectively over. However, he also said that efforts will continue to ensure a long-term arrangement to neutralize Iran's nuclear program.