Hegseth dismisses impeachment push as “policy disagreements” over Iran war

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed a bid by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie to impeach him over the Iran war, saying it reflects “policy disagreements” and not high crimes, with a House vote possible by midweek.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed efforts in Congress to impeach him, saying he is being targeted over “policy disagreements” and not the high crimes or offenses the nation’s founders intended, AP News reported.

Speaking at his first Pentagon press briefing since May on Tuesday, he said: “In the 250 years of our American republic, no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense has ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military operations.”

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who lost his primary to a Trump-backed opponent, filed the impeachment resolution in the House on Monday over Hegseth’s handling of the war in Iran and other actions.

The resolution also references military actions in Yemen against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Venezuela. Massie said Hegseth’s actions amount to “high crimes and misdemeanors.” A House vote could come by midweek, though next steps are uncertain, after heavy Republican losses in last week’s midterm elections, which many partly blamed on the Iran conflict.

President Donald Trump has backed Hegseth, while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said he is “100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump’s term in office.”