Is Pete Hegseth getting fired? Impeachment threat grows as Republicans question his Iran war strategy

Is Pete Hegseth getting fired? US President Donald Trump has told some of his allies in recent days that he’s considering replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to two people familiar with the matter, reported NBC News. However, later on, Donald Trump said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is keeping his job. But a new Pentagon chief could come before Democrats take control of Congress in January. The president told ABC News on Thursday that he has “every intention” of keeping Mr. Hegseth in the Cabinet. The clarification came after rumours swirled on social media that he was weighing whether to kick him to the curb after the GOP lost control of the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterms.

ALSO READ: Canva layoffs 2026: Meet CEO Melanie Perkins, who plans to give away 80% of her billion-dollar fortune as 1,271 jobs are cut

Pete Hegseth impeachment threat looms

The House of Representatives could vote as soon as next week to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, weeks before the Democratic majority is sworn in. Many Republicans are of the view that Pete Hegseth convinced President Donald Trump to attack Iran with no exit strategy.


The possible vote follows Republican losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky) told CNN he plans to trigger a vote to impeach Hegseth when Congress returns next week.

ALSO READ: Who is Russell Brand? All about Katy Perry's ex-husband found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting women over a 10-year period

Multiple GOP sources told CNN they expect it to pass. However, White House insiders said Trump is supporting Hegseth and wants him to fight against impeachment, as per CNN.

Thomas Massie wants Pete Hegseth impeached

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky could trigger a House vote next week on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when lawmakers return to Washington. Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, alleging that he overstepped his constitutional authority and violated Congress' war powers.

The allegations relate to US military operations involving Iran and Venezuela, along with strikes targeting suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean. Massie has also accused Hegseth of ignoring congressional war powers resolutions and retaliating against critics of the administration.

Massie, who lost his Republican primary, is set to leave Congress in January.

What's next for Pete Hegseth?

Pete Hegseth might have to bear the brunt of the fall for Republicans’ midterm losses, despite Donald Trump’s vocal support for his defense secretary, even calling him a champion of war. The war in Iran, which voters and Trump have named as a key reason for Republicans’ midterm losses, “has been primarily a Department of War-led effort because you chose to take military action to resolve a foreign policy matter”, a former senior Pentagon official told CNN.

“If the president is serious about anyone taking responsibility for it, it’s Pete Hegseth,” one Republican close to the White House added in an interview with CNN. “Pete has been either dishonest or incorrect – neither of which are acceptable – about timelines, goals and objectives since the beginning.” On Wednesday, JD Vance publicly questioned whether the Iran war was worth it and said it cost Republicans control of Congress.

Kingsley Wilson, the Pentagon press secretary, said: “The entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision and will continue working to put our warfighters and America first,” in a statement to USA Today on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, “I think after the election, we need to determine whether or not he’s the best person to bring those needs to Congress if he wants something done before the end of this Congress, which is only 60 days away,” Tillis said as the midterm results came in.

Democrats have vowed to investigate Hegseth's leadership of the Pentagon, with aides saying the probe could cover several issues, including his handling of the Iran war and the removal of senior military officials, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Hegseth could also face scrutiny over his policies on Ukraine and US military strikes on boats suspected of being involved in drug trafficking in Latin American waters. Some Democrats have argued that these strikes could constitute war crimes.