Hegseth rips impeachment push from outgoing Republican as 'farce,' 'stunt'

War Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on Nov. 10, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Outgoing GOP Rep Thomas Massie has put forth 8 articles of impeachment on Hegseth

War Secretary Pete Hegseth, facing eight articles of impeachment in a privileged House resolution, remains defiant amid kinetic war and political warfare.

Hegseth said he stood behind military operations his department conducted in Iran, Venezuela and Yemen, saying they were lawful.

"What one disgruntled and defeated congressman is attempting is not oversight, it's not accountability. It's a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment," Hegseth said in a Tuesday morning conference. "Time for one man's final days in Congress to try to do damage to this president, this country and most irresponsibly, the warriors who defend it."

"It's a farce, and it's a stunt, and everybody knows it."

"As for the articles themselves," he continued, "Iran, the cartels, Maduro, Yemen, every one was a lawful operation ordered by the commander in chief, then ordered by myself, notified to Congress and executed by American warriors who did their jobs."

"We destroyed terror regimes' capabilities. We sank the boats carrying poison into our communities. We put a narco dictator in handcuffs. These are not high crimes. This is the job, and it's the job well done."

War Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on Nov. 10, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

"I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow," he added.

Hegseth said the effort hands U.S. enemies a "propaganda victory."

"This is not patriotism; this is sabotage. It tells our enemies that the United States will actually punish its own warriors and its own civilian leadership for successfully executing lawful military operations," Hegseth added.

President Donald Trump defended Hegseth against outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie's impeachment effort.

The president issued a Truth Social post on Monday slamming the Republican Kentucky congressman as "a total loser" while asserting that the war secretary "should be praised, not impeached."

"Defeated Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a total loser, is trying to Impeach perhaps the most popular and successful military official in the Country, Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth," Trump declared Monday on Truth Social.

"With recruitment at an ALL-TIME HIGH, from an all-time low under Sleepy Joe Biden, and TWO VICTORIES, Venezuela and Iran, Pete Hegseth should be praised, not Impeached. Congress, stand up for Pete!!!" he added.

Eric Mack is a breaking news reporter and writer Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET, with a particular interest in stories that lead the news cycle on politics, elections, foreign affairs and government.