The key facts
- Hegseth intends to keep the defense secretary post until the end of Trump's term and is not considering a Senate run from Tennessee
- Republican Thomas Massie is ready to initiate an impeachment vote; Democrats plan investigations starting January 2027
- Trump publicly backed the secretary but, according to media reports, discussed his future with advisers after the Republicans' midterm defeat
The Defense Secretary intends to stay in his post
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth intends to keep his post until the end of Donald Trump's presidential term and is not considering a move to the Senate, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing an adviser to the secretary. According to the newspaper, Hegseth is ready to resist attempts by members of Congress to remove him from office and intends to defend the Defense Department's decisions — including the actions in Iran, personnel changes in the armed forces leadership, and changes to the Pentagon's internal policies.
Impeachment threat and investigations
The US Congress is discussing the possibility of impeaching the defense secretary. Republican Thomas Massie intends to initiate a vote on the relevant charges. Hegseth's critics question the legality of certain military decisions and the Pentagon leadership's conduct during the conflict with Iran. In addition, Democrats plan to conduct their own investigations once the new Congress takes office in January 2027.
Political context after the midterm elections
Amid the disagreements, there were suggestions that Hegseth might seek a Senate seat from Tennessee, but the secretary's circle rejects such a scenario. Trump publicly backed Hegseth and said he does not intend to dismiss him. At the same time, according to US media, the president discussed the secretary's future with advisers after the Republicans' defeat in the November 3 midterm elections, as a result of which Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress.
Who in Trump's circle was named possible 'culprits'
Earlier, as CBS correspondent Jennifer Jacobs wrote, Trump's circle discussed the possible responsibility of the Pentagon leadership for the Republican Party's failure in the congressional elections: some aides to the president linked the election results to the protracted conflict against Iran. Among the possible targets of criticism, they named not only Hegseth but also the commander of US Central Command, Admiral Bradley Cooper, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine.
