Pete Hegseth vows to fight 'farce' impeachment push

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to fight an impeachment push targeting him, branding the effort as a farce and a stunt. Hegseth likened the move to past impeachments of President Donald Trump, stating that it's not oversight or accountability, but rather a political spectacle driven by ego and resentment. The House of Representatives is set to vote on the impeachment resolution introduced by outgoing Republican congressman Thomas Massie, with Democrats likely to support it.

However, Republican votes remain uncertain, as 218 Republicans and one Republican-aligned independent make up the party. If unsuccessful, Democrats plan to attempt impeachment again during the new Democrat-majority Congress in January. Hegseth referenced Trump's past impeachments, asserting that they only strengthened him and led to his re-election by the American people.

The impeachment resolution accuses Hegseth of "high crimes and misdemeanors," including unlawful operations in Iran, Venezuela, and Yemen. Hegseth defended the operations, claiming they were lawful orders given by the commander-in-chief. He emphasized that this is the first time in American history that a cabinet secretary is being attacked for their military victories rather than their losses.

Massie, the resolution's author, criticized Hegseth for defying Congress and suggested the impeachment could lead to a broader debate on Congress' war powers. However, convicting Hegseth in the Senate would require a two-thirds majority, a highly unlikely scenario in the current Republican-controlled Congress.