Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing mounting calls for impeachment following Republicans' bruising midterm election losses Tuesday, with Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, expected to introduce articles of impeachment when Congress returns next week. The emerging effort comes as President Donald Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for Hegseth on Wednesday despite reports that he has privately discussed the defense secretary's future with advisers. Asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth after the election setback, Trump told reporters: "No, I think he's doing a very good job." The White House later said the president retained "full confidence" in the Pentagon chief.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and the Department of War by email for additional comment. The clash between Trump's public backing and growing calls for Hegseth's removal has placed the defense secretary at the center of one of the administration's first major post-midterm political battles. The number of lawmakers publicly calling for Hegseth's ouster has grown since Tuesday's election results.
Democrats have focused their criticism on how Hegseth has handled the Iran war, particularly a strike campaign against suspected drug vessels that killed at least 240 people. Republican Representatives Mike Rogers of Alabama and Dusty Johnson of South Dakota have expressed concern about internal friction at the Pentagon. Massie, who introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, has said he intends to force a House vote on the measure shortly after Congress returns from the midterm recess.
Massie told Roll Call the effort is a "week one" priority for the lame-duck session. Newsweek reached out to Massie's office by email for comment. Incoming House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith has also pledged investigations into Pentagon decision-making and the administration's handling of conflicts abroad.
Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona has publicly backed accountability efforts against Hegseth. Democratic Representative James Walkinshaw of Virginia wrote on X,"Pete Hegseth has failed America and our service members. "When the House votes on impeachment, I'm voting to impeach him." Days before the election, Representative Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, said on CBS News' Face the Nation that ousting Hegseth from the Pentagon was his "priority number one" if Democrats retake the House.
Questions about Hegseth's future intensified after reports that Trump has privately asked advisers whether the defense secretary should remain in his position following Republican losses. Trump publicly rejected suggestions that he was preparing to dismiss Hegseth. Asked directly about reports that Hegseth's future was under review, Trump replied: "No, I think he's doing a very good job." Trump also dismissed speculation that Hegseth could be moved into another role, saying he had not heard discussions about appointing him to a Senate vacancy.
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