US defence chief Hegseth calls impeachment bid a 'farce', vows to fight charges

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday dismissed efforts to impeach him over his handling of the war against Iran and alleged abuses of power, describing the move as a politically motivated attempt to undermine the Trump administration's military leadership.

Addressing reporters at the Pentagon in his first news conference there since May, Hegseth rejected the allegations brought by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who introduced eight articles of impeachment against him on Monday.

Hegseth characterised the impeachment effort as a personal campaign driven by political differences rather than legitimate constitutional concerns.

"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," he said.

The defence secretary maintained that the military operations undertaken during his tenure were lawful and necessary, and insisted that he would continue defending the administration's decisions.

𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱

Massie, a Republican from Kentucky who lost his primary election to a candidate backed by President Donald Trump, has accused Hegseth of conducting military operations without congressional authorisation and exceeding his constitutional authority.

The impeachment resolution focuses primarily on the administration's military campaign against Iran, while also raising questions about operations in Yemen and Venezuela.

Massie has alleged that Hegseth's actions amount to serious abuses of power warranting his removal from office.

The Republican lawmaker's decision to introduce the resolution has exposed divisions within his party following its substantial losses in the recent midterm elections.

The Iran conflict and its economic consequences have become contentious issues within Republican ranks, with some party members attributing the electoral setbacks partly to public dissatisfaction with the war.

𝗛𝗲𝗴𝘀𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Rejecting the allegations, Hegseth said the impeachment effort would send a damaging message to America's adversaries by suggesting that military and civilian leaders could face punishment for carrying out lawful operations.

He insisted that he stood by the administration's military decisions, including its actions against Iran.

"I stand beside every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow," Hegseth said.

The Pentagon chief also compared the impeachment effort with previous attempts to remove Trump from office, expressing confidence that the latest move would fail.

"This is not patriotism. This is sabotage," he said.

Hegseth argued that policy disagreements over military strategy should not be treated as grounds for impeachment.

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱

The impeachment resolution has been introduced as a privileged measure, requiring the House of Representatives to address it within two legislative days.

Massie said lawmakers were expected to first vote on a procedural motion aimed at blocking the resolution.

If that effort failed, the House could proceed to debate and vote on the impeachment articles.

The proceedings come at a politically sensitive moment for Republicans following the midterm elections, which handed Democrats major gains and intensified scrutiny of the administration's handling of the Iran conflict.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has opposed the impeachment effort, arguing that pursuing such proceedings during ongoing military hostilities would send the wrong message to both allies and adversaries.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳

President Donald Trump has publicly defended Hegseth and praised his leadership of US military operations.

Speaking on Monday, Trump claimed that the United States had achieved major military successes against Iran and expressed confidence in his defence secretary.

The president has also criticised efforts to impeach Hegseth, maintaining that the administration's military actions were justified.

The controversy has added to political tensions in Washington as Democrats prepare to assume control of Congress in January following their midterm victories.

While Hegseth has expressed confidence that the impeachment effort will fail, the proceedings could force Republican lawmakers to take a public position on the Pentagon chief's conduct and the administration's military policies.