‘Why is Pete Hegseth still around?’ Trump faces revolt over War Secretary after GOP’s midterm rout

US President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure to remove War Secretary Pete Hegseth following the Republican Party's sweeping defeat in the 2026 midterm elections, with Democrats and some members of his own party blaming the administration's handling of the Iran war for the electoral setback.

Despite growing demands for Hegseth's departure, Trump has publicly backed the Pentagon chief, saying he has no intention of removing him. However, reports of internal discussions over Hegseth's future have added to speculation about a possible shake-up in the administration following the Republican losses.

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"I have every intention to keep him. I get these calls, you know, about him. I don't understand why," Trump told ABC News, according to the network's chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl.

The calls for Hegseth's ouster have come as Vice President JD Vance openly attributed the Republican defeat to the Iran conflict, while Trump acknowledged that the war had pushed up gasoline prices, adding to the economic pressure on American voters.

Democrats, Republicans turn up heat on Hegseth

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries directly questioned Hegseth's continued tenure, writing on X, "Why is Pete Hegseth still around?"

Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, called the War Secretary incompetent and warned that his continued presence at the Pentagon put American troops at risk.

"He's incompetent...Every day that he's in the Pentagon, Major, is a day that our service members, our men and women, our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters are at greater risk," Crow told CBS News.

Representative Patrick Ryan, a former Army intelligence officer from New York, also called Hegseth's removal the incoming Democratic majority's first priority.

The pressure is not limited to Democrats. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has threatened to revive his impeachment effort against Hegseth when lawmakers return to Washington, unless the War Secretary resigns.

"There is one contingency in which I won't reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns," Massie wrote on X on November 4.

According to CNN, Massie intends to seek a House vote on his 34-page impeachment resolution when Congress reconvenes. Citing Republican insiders, the network reported that lawmakers expected the measure to pass the chamber.

Massie had earlier introduced the resolution on September 15, accusing Hegseth of overstepping his authority during military operations in Iran, Yemen, Venezuela and elsewhere, and of bypassing congressional oversight. These allegations are claims made by Massie and have not been established as formal findings of misconduct.

The earlier impeachment push stalled before reaching a floor vote as the House adjourned for midterm campaigning.

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Vance blames Iran war for Republican defeat

The growing scrutiny of Hegseth comes as the White House confronts questions over the political fallout from its military campaign against Iran.

Vance directly linked the Republican Party's electoral losses to the conflict, rejecting the argument that insufficient Republican turnout was primarily responsible. He said internal polling suggested that some voters who had supported the Trump-Vance ticket in 2024 had switched to Democratic candidates.

"The real reason we lost is obvious to almost everyone... The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night," Vance wrote on X.

Trump also acknowledged the political and economic costs of the conflict, conceding that it had contributed to higher gasoline prices. However, he defended the military campaign and said he would make the same decision again.

"Well, I think it's largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short-term, and probably that's uh probably it's true. But at the same time, if I had it to do again, I'd have to do it again because long-term, it's the only answer. You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.

The President also dismissed the prospect of Democrats pursuing impeachment proceedings against him, arguing that such a move would backfire politically.

"I think it would destroy the Democratic Party if they did that. Because impeachment for no reason. What? For having a successful country? Our country is more successful now than at any time in its history," he said.

According to CBS News, Trump has also discussed Hegseth's future during conversations with close advisers, although no final decision has been reached. The network reported that the possible shake-up could extend beyond the Pentagon chief, with US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine potentially facing greater scrutiny over their roles in advising on the Iran war.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also emerged as a possible contender to replace Hegseth, according to reports, with discussions centred on whether he could secure Senate confirmation during the lame-duck period before his gubernatorial term ends on January 5.