Hegseth Rejects Impeachment Bid: I Would Do It Again Tomorrow
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended the strikes on Iran, suspected drug traffickers and other operations as lawful and successful, insisting he would authorize them again.
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he would carry out controversial military operations again despite facing eight articles of impeachment over the Iran war, civilian casualties and other actions undertaken under his leadership.
Speaking at a rare Pentagon press briefing on November 10, Hegseth rejected the allegations brought by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, defending the operations as lawful and militarily successful.
"I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow."
Impeachment Challenge Over Iran War
Massie, an outgoing Republican congressman from Kentucky, introduced a privileged resolution containing eight articles of impeachment, potentially bringing the dispute before the House of Representatives.
The resolution challenges Hegseth's conduct of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign against Iran, alleging that hostilities began without congressional authorization and violated the War Powers Resolution.
It also accuses the Pentagon chief of continuing military operations after congressional directives and the expiration of the 60-day statutory period.
Other allegations concern strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats, the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, military operations in Yemen and alleged violations involving free speech and congressional oversight.
Massie has argued that the impeachment effort concerns constitutional and legal accountability rather than military effectiveness.
"The argument here is that he's broken laws and he's violated the Constitution."
Civilian Casualties and Iran Operations
A central accusation concerns a U.S. strike on an elementary school in Minab, Iran, that reportedly killed numerous civilians, predominantly children.
Massie cited the incident in accusing Hegseth of violating civilian-protection laws.
Hegseth rejected allegations that U.S. forces deliberately attacked civilians.
"As to the claim that the American military targets civilians, that is a lie."
The Pentagon chief also defended the broader Iran campaign, portraying Operation Epic Fury as a military victory that had significantly weakened Iran's armed forces, naval capabilities and nuclear infrastructure.
He maintained that U.S. forces continued to enforce a blockade and exercise control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Hegseth contrasted the campaign with the wars in Vietnam and Korea, arguing that its human costs were substantially lower than those of previous major conflicts.
Hegseth Challenges Impeachment Effort
Hegseth characterized the resolution as an attempt to punish military success and warned that proceedings against civilian leadership could eventually extend to personnel who implemented the operations.
He also defended the operation that resulted in Maduro's capture, rejecting the characterization of the Venezuelan president's removal as a kidnapping.
The defense secretary criticized Massie's political standing, noting that the congressman had lost his Republican primary to a candidate backed by President Donald Trump.
Hegseth further invoked the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and controversies involving former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, arguing that previous military failures had not generated comparable impeachment proceedings.
Trump separately defended Hegseth, publicly attacking Massie's impeachment initiative and urging Congress to support the Pentagon chief.
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