Hegseth dismisses Democratic impeachment push after midterms; Massie says he would drop his effort only if Hegseth resigns

Summary

After Democrats won a landslide in Tuesday's midterm elections, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he will 'not back down' against a 'lame duck' Congress and that calls for his impeachment will 'not work.' In a video uploaded by the Pentagon, he called the impeachment bills 'sham' efforts by 'a disgruntled, defeated congressman' and his Democratic allies. Representative Thomas Massie says he will drop his impeachment push against Hegseth only if the defense secretary resigns. Hegseth later dismissed renewed impeachment calls as political theatre after Massie threatened to reintroduce articles unless he resigns.

Timeline

1. Hindustan Times

   5 Nov 2026, 03:55 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Thomas Massie says he will drop his impeachment push against Pete Hegseth only if the US defense secretary resigns, after the midterms.

2. South China Morning Post

   5 Nov 2026, 21:31 UTCSource ↗

   South China Morning Post reports that Hegseth said he will 'not back down' against a 'lame duck' US Congress and that impeachment calls will 'not work,' in his first reaction after the Democrats' landslide in Tuesday's midterm elections.

3. Hindustan Times

   6 Nov 2026, 03:12 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Hegseth dismissed renewed impeachment calls as political theatre after Massie threatened to reintroduce articles unless he resigns, and defended the War Department's achievements.