US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced mounting calls for his removal from Democratic and Republican lawmakers following the Republican Party's defeat in the midterm elections, even as President Donald Trump publicly defended his performance and ruled out replacing him.
The backlash intensified after Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's elections, with public dissatisfaction over the US-Israel war against Iran emerging as a major factor in the Republican Party's losses.
Hegseth, one of the administration's most prominent advocates of the military campaign, came under renewed scrutiny over his handling of the conflict, relations with Congress and controversial decisions at the Pentagon.
Asked on Wednesday whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, Trump told reporters, "No, I think he's doing a very good job."
However, according to CBS News, Trump had privately asked advisers whether Hegseth should remain in his position following the election results. Sources familiar with the discussions said the President had not made a decision to replace him.
The contrasting signals fuelled speculation about the defence secretary's future as lawmakers prepared for renewed congressional scrutiny of the Pentagon.
𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗴𝘀𝗲𝘁𝗵'𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a longstanding critic of the administration's handling of the Iran war, called for Hegseth's resignation and pursued impeachment proceedings against him.
Massie had filed eight articles of impeachment and indicated that he intended to force a vote in the House of Representatives.
His intervention reflected growing frustration among some Republicans over the administration's military strategy and the political consequences of the conflict.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis also questioned Hegseth's ability to work effectively with Congress, particularly as the administration sought support for a proposed $1.5 trillion defence spending package.
Tillis said the defence secretary faced a reckoning following the election and suggested lawmakers needed to examine whether he was the appropriate person to lead the Pentagon's legislative efforts.
The criticism came amid broader concerns about Hegseth's strained relationships with lawmakers and his management of the department.
𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲𝘀
Democratic lawmakers had promised extensive investigations into Hegseth's leadership once the newly elected Congress convened in January.
Representative Adam Smith, who was expected to chair the House Armed Services Committee, said congressional oversight would examine the conduct of the Iran war and concerns about the political independence of the armed forces.
Potential investigations could also cover the removal of senior military officers, US policy towards Ukraine and military strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters.
Some Democrats had raised questions about whether certain military operations violated international law, although those allegations remained contested.
The Pentagon defended its actions and rejected suggestions of wrongdoing.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth remained committed to implementing Trump's military agenda and would not be deterred by politically motivated investigations.
The department maintained that its operations had complied with the law.
𝗜𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲
The Iran conflict became a central issue in the midterm elections, with Vice President JD Vance acknowledging that the war had contributed to the Republican Party's defeat.
Vance said voters who supported Trump in 2024 had shifted towards Democrats over concerns about the war, rising living costs and US foreign policy.
Hegseth's critics argued that he had played a significant role in advocating military action against Iran without establishing a clear strategy for ending the conflict.
Trump had previously identified Hegseth as an early supporter of military intervention, recalling that the defence secretary had encouraged action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The administration's handling of the conflict also drew criticism over its objectives, duration and economic consequences.
A Republican adviser close to the White House told Reuters that Hegseth could face consequences as the party assessed the election results, although Trump continued to express confidence in him.
𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱
Amid speculation about Hegseth's future, reports suggested that he could be considered for a US Senate seat in Tennessee.
The seat was expected to become vacant when Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn assumed office as the state's governor in January.
Hegseth, a Tennessee resident, could potentially be appointed to the vacancy without contesting an immediate election.
Asked about the possibility, Trump said Hegseth would be popular in the role but maintained that he had not heard of such an arrangement.
Reports also indicated that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had been discussed as a possible replacement at the Pentagon, although no official decision had been announced.
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝗴𝘀𝗲𝘁𝗵
Despite growing criticism, Trump maintained his public support for the defence secretary, whom he had repeatedly praised for his leadership of the military.
The President's position contrasted with the response of former President George W Bush following the 2006 midterm elections, when Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was replaced amid public dissatisfaction over the Iraq war.
Hegseth's position remained uncertain as Republicans examined the reasons behind their electoral losses and Democrats prepared to exercise greater oversight of the administration.
Although the impeachment effort could reach the House before the new Congress took office, any removal through that process would require conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
For now, Hegseth remained in office with Trump's public backing, even as lawmakers from both parties questioned his leadership and demanded accountability over the Iran conflict.