Pete Hegseth faces a growing impeachment threat, but the defense secretary says he has no regrets about the military operations, even as members of his own party call for his resignation.
The Pentagon chief spoke out Monday, as Republican Rep. Thomas Massie advanced an impeachment resolution questioning the Trump administration’s decisions involving Iran and Venezuela.
“If you want to take issue with what we did in Epic Fury or Rough Rider or nabbing Nicolás Maduro, you’re taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished, which is historic,” Hegseth told reporters.
Vice President JD Vance has reportedly blamed the Iran war for contributing to Republican losses, but Hegseth remains convinced the operation was justified.
“It doesn’t have to be necessarily popular, but it can be necessary,” he said, repeating a recent statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Hegseth argued that military intervention was unavoidable because “someone had to confront the Iranian regime’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon.”
Despite his claim that “Iran is devastated,” the country continues attacking American military facilities and commercial vessels in the Middle East.
The defense secretary also announced plans to hold a news conference today, ending a stretch of more than six months without one.
