‘Stand by every operation’: US defence secretary Pete Hegseth dismisses impeachment move as ‘political spectacle’
Referring to the Iran war, Hegseth said, "I stand beside every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow."
US secretary of war Pete Hegseth on Tuesday dismissed the impeachment move against him over alleged abuse of power during the Iran war, calling it a farce that was bound to fail.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on November 10, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia, US. (Getty Images via AFP)
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Hegseth made the remarks at a news conference, a day after US Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, introduced eight articles of impeachment against him.
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Addressing the impeachment effort at his first Pentagon news conference since May, Hegseth said previous attempts to impeach US President Donald Trump had failed and added, "They will fail again."
"This is not patriotism. This is sabotage," he said.
Referring to the Iran war, Hegseth said, "I stand beside every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow."
Deep Dive
Why did Pete Hegseth call the impeachment effort a political spectacle?
Hegseth said the move was not oversight or accountability, but a political spectacle driven by ego and resentment. He described its sponsor, Thomas Massie, as a disgruntled and defeated congressman.
What is Pete Hegseth accused of in the impeachment resolution?
The resolution alleges, among other things, that Hegseth waged war on Iran without congressional approval and failed to protect civilians during military operations. These are allegations and have not been tested by a court or investigation.
What votes would be needed to impeach and remove Pete Hegseth?
The House can impeach Hegseth by approving the articles with a simple majority. Removing him would require conviction by two-thirds of senators present.
Priyanjali Narayan is a journalist with Hindustan Times based in New Delhi. She has over two years of experience covering national and international affairs, reporting on breaking news, producing in-depth explainers, and writing feature stories. Her work explores the political, social, and cultural dimensions of major events, with a focus on providing clear, nuanced, and accessible journalism for a broad audience.Before joining Hindustan Times, she was part of the India Today newsroom, where she specialised in explanatory journalism. There, she wrote detailed analyses of major domestic and international issues and produced feature stories that included interviews with prominent public figures. The role strengthened her ability to combine speed with depth in a fast-paced news environment.She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in History from the University of Delhi. Her academic training continues to shape her storytelling, grounding her work in historical context and research-driven insight.Outside the newsroom, she enjoys reading personal essays and fiction, and is often planning her next trip, always seeking stories that deepen her understanding of people and places.
Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries along with latest US midterm elections update. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries along with latest US midterm elections update. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.
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