President Donald Trump is defending his Pentagon chief as Democrats consider a new impeachment fight if they regain control of the House.
President Donald Trump blasted congressional Democrats Thursday over their growing calls to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing the opposition party of turning impeachment into a political weapon.
Speaking to reporters, Trump dismissed the latest threats against his Pentagon chief and suggested Democrats were more interested in targeting administration officials than addressing the country’s problems.
“I think it’s terrible. All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody,” Trump said when asked whether he was concerned about efforts to remove Hegseth.
The president also warned that Republicans could respond with similar tactics.
“I mean, honestly, if we wanted to play that game, we could play it just as well,” Trump said.
His remarks come as Democrats openly discuss using a potential House majority after the November midterms to pursue Hegseth’s removal, setting up another possible showdown between the White House and Capitol Hill.
Trump Stands Firmly Behind Hegseth
Despite growing criticism from Democratic lawmakers, Trump offered an emphatic endorsement of his defense secretary.
The president described Hegseth as a “great warrior” who has done a “great job” leading the Pentagon.
“I think he’s the best at his job in many, many years, and a lot of people agree with that,” Trump said.
The defense secretary has become one of the administration’s most controversial figures, facing scrutiny over his leadership decisions, the dismissal of senior military officers and the administration’s handling of military operations overseas.
But Trump has consistently defended Hegseth, portraying him as a central figure in his effort to overhaul the Pentagon and restore what the administration describes as a stronger, more accountable military.
The president’s latest comments signal that he has no intention of distancing himself from Hegseth as Democrats intensify their criticism.
Democrats Eye Impeachment After Midterms
The impeachment push is already gaining traction on Capitol Hill, including from an unexpected Republican source.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a frequent critic of the Trump administration, introduced an impeachment resolution against Hegseth last month.
A vote on Massie’s privileged resolution is expected after lawmakers return to Washington following the November midterm elections.
Several House Democrats have told The Hill they support Massie’s effort and would consider backing additional impeachment proceedings if their party regains control of the chamber.
Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and former Marine Corps reservist, delivered a particularly harsh assessment of Hegseth’s tenure.
“Secretary Hegseth has been nothing short of a disaster for the Pentagon and for America’s standing in the world,” Carbajal said in a statement Wednesday.
He cited the controversy surrounding Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app, the removal of senior military leaders and the administration’s handling of the war with Iran.
“If he won’t resign, I will vote in favor of impeachment at the next opportunity,” Carbajal declared.
The impeachment campaign also highlights divisions within Republican ranks, with Massie challenging a Cabinet official whom Trump continues to defend.
Jeffries Threatens to Push Hegseth Out
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has also intensified his criticism of Hegseth, although he has stopped short of fully committing Democratic leadership to impeachment proceedings.
During a recent campaign appearance, Jeffries warned that Democrats would “run Pete Hegseth out of town” if they regained control of the House.
In a separate interview, Jeffries said Trump should remove Hegseth himself or Democrats would address the matter.
“Pete Hegseth needs to be pushed aside by the president, or we’re going to have to deal with that situation if he is not,” Jeffries told MS NOW.
The Democratic leader has also suggested that the party would investigate Hegseth’s conduct before deciding how to proceed.
Meanwhile, some Democrats are already making impeachment a priority.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) told Semafor that removing Hegseth should be among the party’s leading objectives if Democrats regain power.
The growing pressure places Hegseth at the center of a potential congressional confrontation just as Trump campaigns to maintain Republican control of Washington.
Massie Prepares for a Post-Election Showdown
Massie has made clear that he intends to press ahead regardless of the midterm results.
The Kentucky Republican told Roll Call on Monday that he plans to force consideration of his impeachment resolution during the week of November 9, provided Hegseth remains in office.
The proposal includes eight articles of impeachment involving allegations that Hegseth exceeded his authority during the Iran war and other military operations.
Massie also accuses the defense secretary of violating congressional war powers and improperly using his office against critics.
The allegations remain disputed.
Because Massie’s resolution is privileged, it could force the House to address the matter shortly after lawmakers return. However, members could also vote to table the resolution rather than proceed with impeachment.
Even if the House voted to impeach Hegseth, removing him from office would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
That creates a substantial hurdle for Democrats seeking his removal. Roll Call+1
Pentagon Pushes Back Against Critics
The Pentagon has rejected criticism of Hegseth’s leadership, crediting him with restoring military standards, reducing bureaucracy and strengthening the armed forces.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson previously described Hegseth as a “transformative leader” who has improved the department’s performance.
Wilson said the department remains united behind the secretary’s vision and committed to supporting American service members.
The administration has also defended its military operations and leadership decisions against allegations of misconduct.
Trump’s latest remarks reinforce that support, making clear that the president views the impeachment campaign as another political confrontation with Democrats rather than a reason to reconsider Hegseth’s position. ABC News
A New Impeachment Battle Looms
With Election Day approaching, the dispute over Hegseth is becoming a test of how aggressively Democrats intend to challenge Trump’s administration if they regain congressional power.
Democrats argue that Hegseth’s management of military operations and his handling of congressional oversight warrant serious scrutiny.
Trump and the Pentagon maintain that the secretary has delivered results and deserves to remain in office.
But with Massie preparing to force a vote and Democratic lawmakers openly discussing additional investigations, the controversy is unlikely to disappear after November 3.
Trump has made his position clear: He is standing behind Hegseth, even as lawmakers from both parties prepare for a possible impeachment showdown.
