Embattled Pentagon chief slams impeachment 'farce'

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth dismissed impeachment efforts as a "farce" and "stunt" during a press conference, branding the accusations as "slander" and "sabotage." The controversy stems from allegations of misconduct related to wars against Iran and Yemen's Houthis, as well as controversial killings of drug smugglers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

The push for impeachment comes as Congress teeters on a rare vote, with the articles introduced by a disgruntled former GOP congressman Thomas Massie, who will depart Congress after losing his seat. President Trump unequivocally supported Hegseth, praising him with an "A PLUS, PLUS, PLUS" on his social media platform. Despite the pressure, Hegseth maintained his stance, defending every operation he led, including the Yemen, Iran, and Venezuela conflicts, as well as the strikes on alleged drug smugglers.

He also equated the impeachment attempt with an attack on US troops, stating that their service was not a crime. The impeachment articles focus on alleged violations of the War Powers Resolution, unlawful initiation of the Iran war, extrajudicial killings, and suppressing free speech by targeting Democratic Senator Mark Kelly.