Pete Hegseth Impeachment Threat: Defence Secretary Defends Iran and Houthi Military Actions

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said an expected impeachment resolution in Congress would not deter the Pentagon. Hegseth said there was readiness to defend recent US military actions. Those actions involved Iran, Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, and Venezuela’s previous leaders. Hegseth spoke as pressure rose after Republican election losses and wider economic concerns.

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Hegseth said criticism of the operations also challenged US troops. "If you want to take issue with what we did in Epic Fury or Rough Rider or nabbing Nicolas Maduro, youre taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished, which is historic,\" Hegseth told reporters. The names referred to the Iran war and strikes aimed at stopping Houthi attacks.

Pete Hegseth impeachment resolution and rare news conference

Hegseth said a news conference would take place on Tuesday. It would be the first such briefing in more than 180 days. The announcement came as the impeachment threat gained attention. Hegseth’s last briefing was in May. Since then, there had been no news conference on the Iran war.

Hegseth also had not briefed reporters on strikes targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats. Other US military actions were also not addressed in press briefings. The plan for a Tuesday appearance stood out because Pentagon news conferences are infrequent. The impeachment push also made the issue more urgent for the administration.

Pete Hegseth impeachment resolution pushed by Thomas Massie

The Pentagon chief faced strong anger after the Iran war and its economic fallout. That impact was linked to heavy Republican losses in the midterm elections. The losses cost the party control of Congress. Republican Representative Thomas Massie advanced an impeachment resolution. House GOP leaders opposed the move, but calls for accountability increased.

After speaking at the Naval War College in Rhode Island, Hegseth dismissed the effort. \"Theres a lot of politically motivated people who may have substantial policy disagreements, but their disagreements are with success,\" Hegseth told reporters. Hegseth also said, \"My team, were not worried about the noise -- its what I told the troops, too -- dont worry about the noise,\"

Hegseth said the administration was willing to debate the military record publicly. \"He added that if we want to litigate the military actions that the Trump administration has taken, Im happy to do it all day long.\" Hegseth was asked about Vice President JD Vance linking the Iran war to the election results. Hegseth said Trump would do it again.

Pete Hegseth impeachment resolution debate and Iran nuclear claims

Hegseth repeated language also used by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. \"It doesnt have to be necessarily popular, but it can be necessary.\" Hegseth said the war was needed to answer Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Hegseth described a choice between inaction and major intervention. Iran has long said the nuclear programme is peaceful.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran held 440.9 kilograms of uranium. The material was enriched up to 60 per cent purity. That level is a short technical step from weapons-grade 90 per cent. Hegseth said the next steps would depend on Trump. Hegseth described monitoring Iran’s nuclear material as a priority.

Pete Hegseth impeachment resolution and Trump defence

Trump defended Hegseth to reporters on Sunday night. \"Hes guilty of two things, basically winning two wars,\" Trump said. \"I believe we saved the Middle East and Israel combined. And its awfully hard to say lets impeach somebody who did that.\" The comments aligned with Hegseth’s view that the operations succeeded.

Hegseth said Iran was devastated, despite continued strikes in the region. Iran was still able to hit US-used military bases in the Middle East. Those attacks caused billions of dollars in damage, according to the account given. Commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz were also targeted after the conflict.

Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz raised energy prices, Hegseth’s account noted. Before the war, one-fifth of the world’s oil passed through the waterway. Higher energy costs were linked to voter frustration. The AP Voter Poll found about 6 in 10 voters said the US made the wrong decision on Iran strikes.

As congressional anger increased, Hegseth used social media more often. Hegseth posted a video last week that recognised impeachment threats. Hegseth said \"it would be all about the politics of personal destruction\" and added \"that wont work with me. You can rest assured of that.\" Political appointees later posted supportive images.

Images from Pentagon political appointees showed Hegseth with the words, Stand. Fight. Defend the Republic. The White House also shared a social media video praising Hegseth. The impeachment effort continued to build in Congress. Hegseth signalled that the administration would keep defending the military actions taken under Trump.

With inputs from PTI