US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected a renewed impeachment effort against him as lawmakers prepare to return to Congress following the midterm elections.
According to NBC News, Republican Representative Thomas Massie plans to reintroduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth next week, amid criticism of his handling of the Iran war.
In a social media video on Thursday, Hegseth called the effort politically motivated.
“It’s all about the politics of personal destruction. Didn’t work against President Trump, and it won’t work with me. You can rest assured of that,” he said.
Massie, who lost his Republican primary after clashing with Trump, has urged the president to replace Hegseth before Democrats take control of Congress.
“There is one contingency in which I won’t reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns,” Massie wrote on Wednesday.
Several Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have also expressed support for removing Hegseth.
Trump publicly defended his defence secretary on Thursday, saying he “has done a fantastic job”.
However, NBC News reported that Trump has privately discussed possible replacements with allies.
Massie would need support from Democrats and several Republicans to secure impeachment.
Only two US Cabinet officials have previously been impeached, and neither was convicted by the Senate.
