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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has described the effort to impeach him as a "political spectacle" during a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday (November 10). This comes after Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against him. Hegseth criticized the move, calling it a "farce" and a "stunt," according to NewsNation.
Massie's articles accuse Hegseth of violating the Constitution by conducting military operations without congressional approval, including actions in Iran. The articles also allege failures to protect civilians and suppressing free speech. Hegseth responded by asserting that actions against him were attacks on America's military. "If they want to come for the warriors, they're going to have to come through me," he said.
President Donald Trump has expressed his support for Hegseth, calling him a "great warrior" and criticizing Massie as a "disgruntled, angry, defeated, former Congressman," as reported by Newsweek. Trump has stated that Hegseth is doing a "fantastic job."
The House is expected to vote on the impeachment articles soon. If passed, the Senate would then consider the charges. Conviction would require a two-thirds majority, which is a significant hurdle given the current political landscape. Hegseth would be only the second Secretary of War to face impeachment, following William Belknap in 1876, as noted by USA Today.