Pentagon chief Hegseth says impeachment effort is 'farce'

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed a Republican congressman's effort to impeach him as a "farce" aimed at tarnishing President Donald Trump's reputation. In his first Pentagon press conference since May, Hegseth defended the administration's military operations in Iran, Yemen, and the Caribbean, describing them as decisive victories that restored American deterrence.

He highlighted key operations, such as Operation Rough Rider in Yemen, which targeted over 1,000 sites, and Operation Midnight Hammer in Iran, where B-2 strikes were said to be "flawless" and had obliterated key facilities. Hegseth also defended the administration's crackdown on drug-trafficking vessels, claiming the operation had sunk over 70 boats and reduced smuggling by 65 percent.

He denied accusations that the campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amounted to kidnapping, stating that Maduro had been "brought to justice" and is now facing an American judge in New York. Hegseth also claimed recruitment and retention under his leadership had significantly increased, and troop conditions had improved.

Meanwhile, Representative Thomas Massie, who submitted articles of impeachment, is facing defeat in a Republican primary challenge and will leave Congress at the end of the year. Massie accuses Hegseth of waging the war without congressional authorization, committing extrajudicial killings, and unlawfully kidnapping a foreign leader. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the motion by Wednesday.