Pete Hegseth faces mounting calls for his removal as the Iran war fuels Republican divisions, impeachment threats and uncertainty over Pentagon leadership.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting pressure over his role in the war on Iran, with Republican losses in the midterm elections intensifying calls for his removal and raising questions about the extent of Trump's support for him, The Hill reported.
Two sources familiar with internal discussions said Donald Trump has been asking allies about Hegseth's standing, with one saying the War secretary is in "a lot of trouble." The administration is also reviewing plans to resume military aggression against Iran, one of the sources said.
Although Trump has publicly defended Hegseth, he has acknowledged that replacing him could be easier while Republicans retain control of the Senate. A senior Pentagon official, however, dismissed the prospect of an imminent departure, citing the difficulties of securing confirmation for a successor during the lame-duck period.
War fallout puts Hegseth under pressure
Hegseth's position has become increasingly contentious on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers from both parties have demanded greater transparency over the war on Iran and Pentagon spending.
A Republican congressional official described his position as "completely untenable," arguing that defending the war secretary against impeachment proceedings could consume the White House's political capital and further damage Trump's standing.
The pressure follows Vice President JD Vance's attribution of Republican midterm losses to the war on Iran. Vance has reportedly opposed the aggression within the administration, while Hegseth has emerged as one of its strongest advocates.
"When you have the sitting VP say Iran is a mistake, the support for the conflict and Hegseth by extension is going to evaporate," one defense-world source told The Hill.
Trump has previously acknowledged Hegseth's role in advocating for military action against Iran. "Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up, and you said let's do it because you can't let them have a nuclear weapon," Trump said in late March.
Despite the criticism, the White House has publicly backed Hegseth. The Pentagon's press team circulated supportive messages on social media, while the White House published a video highlighting his tenure.
Hegseth also responded to the criticism in a video recorded outside the Pentagon, attacking Republican Rep. Thomas Massie's impeachment initiative and urging Congress to approve a $350 billion defense reconciliation package.
"This is not about me, but of course the other side. In case you've noticed, they're obsessed. A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice," Hegseth said.
Impeachment threat adds to uncertainty over Pentagon leadership
Massie, a vocal critic of the war, plans to reintroduce eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth next week, with House Democrats preparing to support the effort.
Massie has said Hegseth's voluntary resignation is the only development that could persuade him to abandon the initiative. The Republican congressman recently lost his reelection bid to former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who was backed by Hegseth.
Criticism has also come from former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, who questioned Hegseth's qualifications to lead the department.
"For almost two years now, we've had a cross between a court jester and a personal trainer running the Pentagon, and it's done real damage to the President and to Republicans. If Hegseth were truly loyal to President Trump, he would have stepped aside long ago — or better yet, never taken a job he wasn't qualified for," Ullyot said.
Meanwhile, CBS News reported that Trump was considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a potential replacement, although one source told The Hill that DeSantis was not interested in the position.
Another possible route for Hegseth could be a move into electoral politics. Trump recently suggested that Hegseth could be a "very popular" candidate for the Tennessee Senate seat held by Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, although she has shown no signs of supporting such a move.
Replacing Hegseth could nevertheless prove difficult. Several Republican senators preparing to leave office, including John Cornyn, Bill Cassidy, and Mitch McConnell, have clashed with Trump and may not necessarily support his nominee.
Democrats are also reportedly considering using Hegseth's position as leverage in negotiations with the administration over defense spending.
For now, Trump continues to defend his war secretary, while Hegseth has urged US service members to disregard the political controversy. "To the troops, don't blink, ignore the noise, never hesitate," he said Thursday. "You see, all this is politics. You do real things, so stay the course."
Source: News websites
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