‘Political spectacle’: US defense chief Pete Hegseth dismisses impeachment bid

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Tuesday dismissed efforts to impeach him as a "political spectacle", arguing that no American defence chief had ever faced impeachment for carrying out lawful military operations.

Speaking at his first Pentagon press briefing in six months, Hegseth said the move was driven by political differences rather than any constitutional grounds for impeachment. He accused the lawmaker behind the effort of using the process to target the Trump administration and undermine the US military.

"In the 250 years of our American Republic, no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense has ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military operations. And in our case, successful ones, at that. Not once. War Powers Resolution or not," Hegseth said.

He cited military operations carried out under former US Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, saying their defence chiefs had not faced impeachment over those actions.

"Not under Reagan in Lebanon, not under Clinton in Kosovo, not under Obama in Iraq and Syria, not under Biden in Iraq and Syria. That's the standard. The history is clear and it's very straightforward," he added.

Hegseth also launched a sharp attack on Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who introduced eight articles of impeachment against him on Monday. He accused the Kentucky lawmaker of turning the process into a personal and political campaign rather than exercising congressional oversight.

"What one disgruntled and defeated congressman is attempting is not oversight, and it's not accountability. It's a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment," Hegseth said.

He alleged that the move was timed to damage US President Donald Trump and his administration, as well as the military personnel carrying out operations.

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

According to CNN, Massie's resolution accuses Hegseth of conducting military operations in Iran without congressional authorisation, disregarding laws protecting civilians and directing the Department of Defense to carry out extrajudicial killings.

The articles also raise allegations concerning US military operations in Yemen and Venezuela, as well as strikes against vessels in the Western Hemisphere suspected of carrying narcotics. The resolution further claims that Hegseth's approach to rules of engagement contributed to civilian casualties, including in a deadly US strike on an elementary school in Iran.

Under the US Constitution, the House of Representatives has the sole authority to impeach federal officials, while the Senate conducts impeachment trials. A simple majority in the House is required to approve articles of impeachment, while conviction and removal from office require a two-thirds majority in the Senate, CNN reported.

House Republican leaders have two legislative days to schedule a vote on Massie's resolution. They can also move to table it, effectively blocking the impeachment effort.

If the House approves the articles, Hegseth would become the third Cabinet secretary in US history to be impeached. Former Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached in 1876 over allegations of corruption and accepting kickbacks. In 2024, the Republican-controlled House impeached former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of immigration at the US-Mexico border. The Democratic-controlled Senate subsequently dismissed the articles against him.

CNN reported that no Cabinet official has ever been convicted and removed from office through the Senate impeachment process.

US President Donald Trump has pledged to stand by Hegseth even if the House votes to impeach him.

(With ANI inputs)