WASHINGTON — War Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a blistering attack Tuesday on Rep. Thomas Massie over the Kentucky Republican’s effort to impeach him, accusing the “rogue legislator” of trying to sabotage the Pentagon.
Hegseth, who earlier this year took the unprecedented step of campaigning against Massie’s reelection bid while serving as the nation’s top military official, maintained that he had done nothing warranting impeachment. Such a move, he said, would make him only the third Cabinet official in US history to face that penalty. “This is not patriotism. This is sabotage,” Hegseth said.
He warned that if Massie’s effort succeeds, “a single rogue legislator, loaded with personal animus for the president, can attempt to veto national security decisions made by the duly elected commander in chief.”
Hegseth argued that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreements over policy, saying lawmakers who oppose his decisions should instead seek to change them through legislation.
MORE STORY: Russell Brand Case: Police Say ‘Several More’ People Came Forward
The remarks came during Hegseth’s first press conference since May, following major Republican losses in last week’s midterm elections. Some critics have linked those setbacks to economic fallout from the United States’ war with Iran.
“History will judge the Iran war quite differently than conventional wisdom,” Hegseth said. Of President Trump, he added: “[Trump] did not kick the can; he kicked their teeth in.”
Regardless of what happens to Massie’s impeachment resolution, which could come to a vote later Tuesday, Democrats are expected to revive efforts to remove Hegseth if he remains in office when the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3.
MORE ON THIS: Courageous Mother Wins 23-Year Sentence for Her Abuser in Pursuit of Justice