US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has strongly defended his handling of the Iran war after Republican Congressman Thomas Massie launched an impeachment effort against him, accusing him of abusing his powers and conducting military operations without proper congressional authorisation.
Speaking at the Pentagon on Tuesday, November 10, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment attempt as politically motivated, describing it as an act of “sabotage” that could undermine American troops and benefit the country’s adversaries.
The impeachment effort comes amid growing political divisions over the US military campaign against Iran. Massie, a Republican representative from Kentucky, introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth, raising allegations involving the Iran conflict, military operations in Venezuela and Yemen, and other actions taken under his leadership.
Among the accusations are claims that Hegseth authorised military operations against Iran without obtaining the necessary approval from Congress. The resolution also questions his handling of civilian casualties and alleged abuses of executive power.
Hegseth rejected the accusations, insisting that his decisions were made to protect American national security and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
“I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow,” he said during the press conference.
President Donald Trump has publicly supported Hegseth, praising his performance and criticising the impeachment initiative. Several Republican lawmakers have also defended the defence secretary, arguing that the proceedings are politically motivated.
However, the controversy comes after Republicans suffered significant losses in the recent midterm elections, with dissatisfaction over the Iran war emerging as an important political issue.
The impeachment proposal could face an initial vote in the House, although removing Hegseth would require a Senate conviction by a two-thirds majority.
The growing dispute highlights deep divisions within the Republican Party over military strategy, presidential authority and America’s continuing involvement in the Iran conflict. US politics live+3
