Hegseth defends US war efforts, his role, lashes out at impeachment effort, 'farse'

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Tuesday aggressively defended U.S. war efforts and attacked efforts to impeach him over the matter, calling it a "farse" and a "stunt."

Hegseth, in a roughly 20-minute press conference at the Pentagon, spoke following outgoing Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie filing articles of impeachment on Hegseth, arguing he lacked the constitutional authority to engage in war in Iran and perhaps in Yemen and Venezuela. 

"It's a farse, and it's a stunt, and everyone knows it," Hegseth said. 

He called it an effort by a "disgruntled and defeated" congressman to carry out a "personal animus" against President Donald Trump.

Hegseth said he still has Trump's support, amid speculation the president will fire him before Democrats who take control of Congress in January try to remove him.

He also said that no secretary of defense has been impeached in the history of the U.S. for "carrying out lawful military operations." 

The articles bring eight charges against Hegseth, accusing him of “waging the Iran war despite no declaration of war, statutory authorization, attack on the United States, or imminent threat," NBC News reported. 

This action, Massie said when he read the articles on the House floor, is contrary to Hegseth's "trust as secretary of Defense." 

The 1973 War Powers Resolution, passed in response to unchecked presidential power exercised in the execution of the Vietnam War, requires that the president formally notify the House speaker and the Senate pro tempore within two days anytime the military is used and war hasn't been declared. 

The resolution also requires the president to end the use of armed forces within 60 days if he usees the military without prior notification to Congress. 

Massie had initially offered articles of impeachment in September, but Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House before a vote could take place. 

Because Massie filed the latest version of the measure as privileged under House rules, House Republican leaders are required to bring the impeachment articles up for a floor vote within two legislative days. A simple majority is needed in the House for the articles to be approved. 

If passed, the resolution is sent to the Senate to decide whether to convict and remove Hegseth from office.