President Donald Trump launched a fierce defense of War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday after outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment. The President called Massie a “total loser” on Truth Social while asserting that Hegseth “should be praised, not impeached.” This direct clash marks a sharp escalation in the fight over the Pentagon’s leadership.
Trump declared that Hegseth is “perhaps the most popular and successful military official in the Country.” He cited recruitment numbers and recent military actions as proof of the Secretary’s success. The President stated that recruitment is at an “ALL-TIME HIGH” under Hegseth compared to an “all-time low under Sleepy Joe Biden.” According to Fox News, Trump claimed Hegseth achieved “TWO VICTORIES, Venezuela and Iran” during his tenure.
Massie lost his GOP primary in Kentucky earlier this year to a Trump-backed challenger. Despite this loss, the Representative moved forward with his effort to remove Hegseth from office. Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment on Monday, according to the Washington Examiner. Most of these articles detail Hegseth’s actions in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela without prior approval from Congress.
The articles argue that Hegseth’s actions amount to “high crimes and misdemeanors” for ignoring the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Massie stated in a press release that his effort is a “much gentler version” of what Democrats will do next year. He also advised that “President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate.”
Trump did not mince words when asked about the impeachment effort. He told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that Massie is a “loser” and a “stone-cold loser.” When asked if he would keep Hegseth in his post if the effort succeeds, Trump said, “Yeah, I’ll stand by him,” per the Washington Examiner.
The President has previously said he does not fully credit Hegseth with the victory in Venezuela, though he noted the War Secretary played a role. Trump told the Daily Wire that the U.S. “won in Venezuela” and “won in Iran.” He claimed the Iran war “knocked out their nuclear capacity,” adding that Israel and likely the entire Middle East were probably spared.
Hegseth shared a screenshot of Trump’s post and wrote, “Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down.” The War Secretary stated on Monday that the Pentagon is “not worried” about Massie’s impeachment effort. A press conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday morning will also be held, he confirmed.
This conflict highlights the tension between a retiring lawmaker and the current administration. Massie’s primary defeat has left him without a seat in the next Congress. His press release suggests he wants to force a Senate confirmation vote before he leaves office.
Trump told the Daily Wire that Democrats should “get back to the country” instead of attacking Republicans. He also noted that RFK Jr. “was a Democrat” and is “a very popular guy.” The President questioned why Democrats did not impeach former Secretary Lloyd Austin when he was missing in action for two weeks.
The Daily Wire reported that Trump said the U.S. “made a fortune on Venezuela” during the recent operations. He also noted that the U.S. lost 18 soldiers in two wars, stating that “one is too many.” These specific claims form the basis of the President’s argument for keeping Hegseth in charge.
The situation remains fluid as the House prepares for the next session. No timeline exists for when the House might vote on the articles. The Pentagon press conference on Tuesday will likely address these new charges directly.
