War Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Congress Thursday to approve at least $350 billion in defense funding while pushing back against efforts to impeach him.
In a video posted to X, Hegseth defended his Pentagon overhaul, including eliminating DEI initiatives, removing military leaders and rebuilding recruitment.
Hegseth dismissed the impeachment push as political theater while defending his efforts to overhaul the Pentagon and advance President Donald Trump‘s military agenda.
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“We need every vote from every patriotic member of Congress,” Hegseth said, calling for a reconciliation bill of at least $350 billion to strengthen the military and defense industrial base.
The impeachment effort is being led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who introduced eight articles against Hegseth in September, accusing him of violating congressional war powers during the Iran conflict and abusing his authority in other military operations.
Massie, who lost his Republican primary in May, plans to renew the effort when Congress returns next week. The House has not voted on the articles.
Trump defended Hegseth on Thursday, telling ABC News he intends to keep him in his Cabinet despite the impeachment push.
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Hegseth dismissed the effort as politically motivated.
“A disgruntled, defeated congressman along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly,” Hegseth said.
He also took aim at former President Joe Biden and former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, accusing them of leaving the Pentagon in disarray and forcing the Trump administration to rebuild the military.
“We ended the weird and the woke and elevated patriots in strength,” Hegseth said, defending his efforts to eliminate diversity initiatives and change military personnel policies.
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Hegseth also defended the administration’s military operations against Iran, describing the campaign as a historic effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The war secretary closed with a message to troops amid the political fight in Washington.
“Don’t blink. Ignore the noise. Never hesitate,” Hegseth said.
“We will not back down. We put America and the warfighter first, always and without apology.”
