Hegseth dismisses Massie's push to impeach him as 'political spectacle'

Summary

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed a bid by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to impeach him, calling it a 'political spectacle' and a 'farce' at a Pentagon press conference on Tuesday, November 10. Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment on Monday, accusing Hegseth of illegally waging war without congressional authorization and abusing his powers, including over the handling of the war in Iran and other alleged misconduct. Hegseth said the resolution amounted to sabotage, accused Massie of trying to stage a 'show trial,' and argued that no previous holder of his office had ever been impeached for carrying out 'lawful military operations.' He likened the effort to Democrats' impeachments of Trump and said, 'They will fail again.' The briefing lasted less than 30 minutes, and Trump gave Hegseth an 'A' PLUS, PLUS, PLUS' grade in a Truth Social post. The push could become the first impeachment of a Cabinet secretary in Trump's second term as a Democratic-led Congress looms.

Timeline

1. Hindustan Times

   10 Nov 2026, 13:22 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Hegseth dismissed the impeachment move as a 'political spectacle' at a press briefing, arguing that no previous holder of his office had ever been impeached for carrying out 'lawful military operations'.

2. Bloomberg

   10 Nov 2026, 13:26 UTCSource ↗

   Bloomberg reports that Hegseth called the impeachment effort introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie a farce and said the resolution amounts to sabotage at a Pentagon press conference on Tuesday.

3. The Guardian

   10 Nov 2026, 13:32 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Hegseth called Massie's bid to impeach him a 'stunt' by critics of Trump and accused the lawmaker of trying to stage a 'show trial', while Massie accused Hegseth of illegally waging war without congressional authorization.

4. Axios

   10 Nov 2026, 13:46 UTCSource ↗

   Axios reports that Hegseth likened Massie's push to Democrats' impeachments of President Trump, and that Massie introduced the articles on Monday over the handling of the war in Iran and other alleged misconduct.

5. The Hindu

   10 Nov 2026, 14:06 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Pentagon chief Hegseth called moves to impeach him a farce that will fail, at a news conference a day after Representative Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against him.