War Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Daily Signal he has a “ton of support” in Congress as outgoing GOP Rep. Thomas Massie leads an effort to impeach him.
Hegseth defended himself against the impeachment articles at a Tuesday press conference, his first since May. The secretary told the Daily Signal that his legislative affairs team has been working with GOP leaders on Capitol Hill, including Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, to fight the Kentucky Republican’s impeachment effort.
“What people misunderstand is the depth of partnership and work that we have done with House Republicans and Senate Republicans and others that are willing to reach across the aisle,” Hegseth told the Daily Signal.
“Our [legislative] affairs team has been very active, obviously working with Speaker Johnson, who’s done a fantastic job, and the Whip Tom Emmer. We’ve been in touch with a lot of members. There’s a—there’s a ton of support,” he continued.
Following the press conference, which lasted nearly 30 minutes, President Donald Trump issued a statement of support for his war secretary.
“Pete Hegseth gets an ‘A’ PLUS, PLUS, PLUS for his defense against a disgruntled, angry, defeated former Congressman, Thomas Massie, a TOTAL LOSER!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Hegseth also praised new White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, saying there is “no greater friend” to the War Department. On reports that Miller pitched himself for the job on the promise that he would end the Iran war, Hegseth told the Daily Signal he talks to Miller “about a lot of things,” and he is meeting with him soon “about the ways that we’ll work together.”
Massie introduced the articles of impeachment on Monday, citing “high crimes and misdemeanors” related to the Iran war. He told the Daily Signal last week that support for impeachment had grown since the election.
The congressman brought similar charges against Hegseth in September, but those efforts were blocked by Johnson, who canceled scheduled votes and adjourned the House early.
“There’s also an understanding that this is one disgruntled guy who drew up some really flimsy articles that aren’t grounded and actually in the Constitution, or things that are high crimes and misdemeanors,” Hegseth told the Daily Signal.
“Whether they love everything that’s been done, or they don’t want to vote for something that isn’t real, I’m grateful that Republicans have been taking a real look at this, and the Speaker has led on it, and I appreciate that,” Hegseth concluded.
Trump posted a second statement of support shortly afterward, calling the press conference a “MUST SEE.”
“I let the president speak for himself, and I’m grateful for his support. We’ve never had a better commander in chief. Full stop. I get to watch him every single day. He lives and breathes America first, and it’s the honor of a lifetime to be his Secretary of War,” Hegseth said of his support from the president.
Hegseth’s parents and his brother were in attendance at the press conference.
The secretary traveled to the Naval War Academy on Monday, where he told the Daily Signal and other reporters that he wasn’t worried about impeachment threats linked to the Iran war.
Following last week’s midterm elections, Vice President JD Vance posted on X that he had met with pollsters who said the Iran war was a top factor in the GOP’s losses.
Hegseth told the Daily Signal on Monday that he appreciates the vice president, but he agrees with the president on the decision to launch the war.
“The President says he’d do it again. I agree. [It] doesn’t have to be necessarily popular, but it can be necessary,” Hegseth said.
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[ H/T The Daily Signal ]
