Hegseth rejects impeachment drive over lawful U.S. military operations
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth publicly rejected an impeachment push aimed at him, calling it a political spectacle and a "stunt" by a disgruntled and defeated congressman. He said the move was not oversight, accountability, or a legitimate constitutional remedy, but an attempt to damage President Donald J.
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Trump, the Department of War, and the military personnel who carried out recent operations. Hegseth said every operation targeted in the eight articles was lawful, ordered by the Commander-in-Chief, properly notified to Congress, and carried out by American warriors who delivered "decisive results." He framed the effort as a direct attack on military success, saying that for the first time in American history a Cabinet secretary overseeing the military was being attacked not for losing conflicts, but for winning them.
He said no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense had ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military operations in the 250 years of the American Republic. He cited examples from prior administrations, saying that standard had not been used against military action under Reagan in Lebanon, Clinton in Kosovo, Obama in Iraq and Syria, or Biden in Iraq and Syria.
Hegseth said the dispute was about policy disagreements, not "high crimes," "misdemeanors," "treason," or "bribery." He said the proper remedy for disagreement was legislation, debate, or the next presidential election, not giving the House and Senate floor to Democrats for what he called a show trial while Republicans still controlled Congress. He identified the articles as involving Iran, the cartels, Maduro, and Yemen.
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He said each of those actions was ordered by the Commander-in-Chief, then ordered by him, notified to Congress, and executed by American warriors doing their jobs. Hegseth also rejected claims that military personnel involved in the operations had done anything wrong.
He said politicians in Washington had accused the sailors and pilots who struck "narcoterrorist boats" of war crimes for doing their job, and he warned that the resolution was the next step toward putting the Secretary on trial today and the men and women who carried out those orders tomorrow. He said that if critics wanted to come after the warriors, they would have to come through him.
He warned that the impeachment effort would put a target on the backs of American military personnel by signaling that Congress would undermine their missions in real time. Hegseth said the impeachment drive would tell enemies, including Iran and the cartels, that the United States would punish its own warriors and civilian leadership for successfully executing lawful military operations.
He described that message as "sabotage," not patriotism. He also referred to "Operation Epic Fury," saying the mission produced a "historic military victory." In that remark, he said the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and claimed that "Crazy Islamists in Tehran will never, ever have a nuclear weapon." Hegseth said President Trump made homeland security national security from day one.
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He said American troops were sent to lock down the southwest border and choke off the cartel pipeline of human smuggling, drugs, and death, and that the fight was then taken to the cartels. He said "thousands of American lives" were saved with every drug boat sunk and every shipment prevented.
He also said he stood behind every one of the operations and would do them again tomorrow. The text includes direct support from President Trump, who said Hegseth got an "A" plus plus plus for his defense against Thomas Massie.
Vice President JD Vance also defended Hegseth, calling the idea of impeachable crimes absurd and saying Congress had many other tools for policy disputes. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the impeachment effort was a political gambit that sent a terrible message to enemies and allies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Hegseth executed a direct order from the Commander-in-Chief effectively, while Attorney General Todd Blanche said allegations that Hegseth acted illegally were not true. Other officials and lawmakers echoed the defense.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins said Hegseth had helped inspire record-high recruiting levels, while Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said he had overseen historically successful military operations, sent thousands of troops to the southern border, and deployed the National Guard to make cities safe again.
