WASHINGTON, D.C. – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a video online, appearing to dismiss another push to impeach him. Some speculate the administration might use him as the scapegoat for Republicans’ poor midterm results.
In the nearly six-minute social media video, Sec. Hegseth defended his time at the Department. “We’re more determined than ever, more resolute than ever to finish what we have started,” said Hegseth in the video.
Most of the video focused on Hegseth’s work on getting rid of senior military officers and getting rid of ideas he and the administration are not in favor of, like DEI. He only briefly touched on the war in Iran in the video. The video was shared online at a time where calls for Hegseth’s removal or impeachment are starting to grow louder, even among Republicans.
Democrats, and some Republicans, have criticized Hegseth’s handling of the massive Department and the war in Iran.
“Hegseth is just not the right guy for the job,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R- NC). “Nothing personal. The guy just demonstrated like Noem that they’re not up to the task of running these large complex organizations. The president deserves better than that, and I hope he comes to that conclusion before we take on more water as a result of excess incompetence.”
Representative Thomas Massie (R- KY), who lost his primary to a Trump-endorsed candidate, said when congress returns he will move forward with impeachment articles unless Hegseth resigns. He urged the President to replace Hegseth while Republicans still have majority in the Senate. In the video, Hegseth is dismissing the threats of impeachment and against those who want to move forward with them. He said in part that it won’t work against him.
When the president was asked earlier this week if he planned on replacing Hegseth, he said no. “I think he’s doing a very good job,” responded the President.
With the Democrats set to control both chambers in January, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (D- NY) said they’re interested in getting rid of Hegseth, but stopped short of saying impeaching him.
“In the majority, the first thing we’re gonna do is run Pete Hegseth out of town,” Rep. Jeffries said.
