Hegseth Calls House Impeachment Effort "a Farce"

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on November 10 that a House effort to impeach him was "a farce, and it's a stunt." Speaking at a press conference, he also condemned the impeachment resolution as "sabotage," saying, "This is not patriotism, this is sabotage." (Al Jazeera)

Impeachment is the formal process by which the House of Representatives can bring charges against a federal official. The resolution targeting Hegseth was introduced on November 9 by Republican Representative Thomas Massie. It concerns the war on Iran, strikes on purported drug boats and other alleged violations of U.S. laws.

Hegseth described criticism of him and of the war on Iran as "policy disagreements." He did not treat the resolution as a debate over those disagreements, framing it instead as an attack on the department he leads. (Hmm.)

On the same day the resolution was introduced, President Donald Trump told reporters he will stand by Hegseth if he is impeached.