Pete Hegseth unfazed by impeachment push, defends Trump’s Iran war as ‘necessary’
Facing a growing push for his impeachment, US secretary of war Pete Hegseth has defended US President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran under Operation Epic Fury, describing it as “necessary” despite questions over its political and electoral fallout after midterm setback.He also brushed aside impeachment concerns and urged Republican lawmakers to approve a major military funding package.Speaking at the Naval War College on Monday (local time), before addressing journalists, Hegseth backed US President Donald Trump’s position that he would take military action against Iran again.“This was a — it doesn’t have to be necessarily popular, but it can be necessary,” war secretary said.His remarks came after a reporter referred to a social media post in which the Vice President reportedly said pollsters considered the Iran war the primary reason behind Republican setbacks in the midterm elections.Hegseth declined to assign blame or confirm whether he had discussed the post with the Vice President.“Well, I appreciate the Vice President very much, and I’m not going to get in the middle of a finger-pointing exercise,” Hegseth said.Calling the Vice President an important member of the administration’s team, Hegseth said officials were free to share candid feedback internally. He also defended Trump’s decision to confront what he described as Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon.Hegseth alleged that Tehran had developed a conventional missile shield to obstruct international efforts to counter its nuclear ambitions. He pointed to Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury as decisive measures taken by the administration in response.Asked whether Republicans had enough support to defeat articles of impeachment against him that week, Hegseth expressed confidence but declined to disclose any specific vote count.“Oh, we’re not worried about that,” he said.Earlier, Hegseth had dismissed calls for his removal as politically motivated, accusing his critics of undermining successful military operations and the achievements of American service personnel.He also credited the Trump administration with securing increased financial contributions from European allies, expanding joint operations against Latin American cartels and strengthening partnerships across the Pacific.While refusing to specify the conditions that would formally bring the Iran war to an end, Hegseth maintained that Trump continued to hold the tactical advantage. He said the president retained the option to halt military operations while warning Tehran against transferring nuclear material.He said, “Whatever he wants to do is his prerogative, and the War Department is prepared to give him the tools to execute on that.”Hegseth identified military funding as his department’s top priority over the next two months and called on Republican lawmakers to unite behind a reconciliation Bill that he described as a historic investment.The proposed funding priorities include intelligence technology, space capabilities, Iron Dome, munitions and shipbuilding. However, he did not disclose the proposed budgetary allocation or provide a legislative timeline.Hegseth also announced major reforms to senior military colleges following an evaluation process that lasted nearly 18 months.He said the changes would place greater emphasis on warfighting, deterring conflicts and ensuring the ability to win wars when necessary.
Trump rallies behind Hegseth
Meanwhile, Trump has also backed war secretary Pete Hegseth amid a push by Republican Representative Thomas Massie to secure a House vote on impeaching the Pentagon chief over his handling of the Iran war and other military operations.In an unexpected appearance at the White House briefing room on Monday, Trump launched an attack on Massie, hours after the Kentucky Republican introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth and read them out on the House floor.“Massie is a loser,” Trump said, adding, “He shouldn’t be taking up the time of Congress or the Senate or anything that he’s doing.”Describing Massie as a “stone cold loser”, Trump also pledged to stand by Hegseth even if the House voted to impeach him.“Yeah, I’ll stand by,” Trump said. “He won two wars. He was in charge. We all won.”Trump defended Hegseth’s record, crediting him with overseeing successful US military operations in Venezuela and Iran. The US operation in Venezuela resulted in the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro in January, while the conflict with Iran remains ongoing.“Really, what has Hegseth done?” Trump said. “He won the war. He was in charge. He won the war in Venezuela, as I said, 48 minutes. It was flawless — nobody killed. And he certainly, I think, won the war in Iran.”
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