Hegseth denounces impeachment bid as Republicans prepare leadership votes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called an impeachment effort against him a “political spectacle” Tuesday as the House prepared to vote on whether to advance the measure. Republicans were also set to elect leaders following their midterm election losses, though some senators wanted to postpone their vote.

“What one disgruntled and defeated congressman is attempting is not oversight, and it’s not accountability,” Hegseth said at a news conference, referring to Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, the Republican leading the effort. “It’s a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment.”

Massie accuses Hegseth of waging war against Iran without congressional authorization and abusing his powers in other areas. The Guardian reported that Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment Monday in a 34-page resolution. Three cite the 1973 War Powers Resolution. The first says Hegseth proceeded without a declaration of war, statutory authorization, an attack on the United States or an imminent threat. Other articles address strikes in Yemen, Hegseth’s treatment of Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly and laws intended to minimize civilian casualties.

Hegseth rejected the allegations. “It’s a farce, and it’s a stunt, and everybody knows it,” he said. According to The Guardian, he said the military operations cited in the articles were lawful, ordered by President Donald Trump and reported to Congress. He also denied that the U.S. military targets civilians. “This is not patriotism,” he said of the impeachment effort. “This is sabotage.”

CBS News reported that the House was set to vote at 5:30 p.m. Eastern on whether to move forward with impeachment. The Guardian reported that the chamber was likely to consider a procedural vote to table the measure first. Because Massie filed the resolution as privileged, the House must act within two legislative days, The Guardian reported.

The outcome was uncertain. The Guardian reported that House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called himself a “hard yes” on impeachment and that Massie expected “several” Republicans to join Democrats, although most Republicans were expected to oppose the measure. The outlet reported a 218-214 Republican majority and said several House Republicans had privately told Fox News they believed impeachment could pass. If the House impeaches Hegseth, the case would go to the Senate, where conviction would require a two-thirds majority.

The expected vote comes as Republicans prepare for a change in leadership after Democrats’ midterm victories. In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson is stepping aside from the top Republican post. Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio are competing to become minority leader, CBS News reported. Johnson said Monday that House Republicans could not delay their leadership elections because incoming members were in Washington for orientation.

Senate Republicans also faced a dispute over timing. Majority Leader John Thune was expected to be elected minority leader without a challenger, but a group led by Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin sought to postpone the vote for a discussion of the election results. “That kind of defeat demands change,” Johnson said Monday. Thune said he would hear the arguments but that Republican senators would decide whether to delay.

Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said most Republicans were “probably ready to vote, move forward.” Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, by contrast, called the losses “an incredible repudiation” of the past two years in Congress and said he wanted to hear about “a different direction.”