Hegseth’s future in question days after midterms

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The future of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is in question days after the midterm elections. The Democrats have won back control of the House and the Senate, with some states still counting votes.

President Donald Trump has said repeatedly that Hegseth is doing a “very good job.” Congress is considering impeaching Hegseth.

Members of both parties have indicated support for impeaching the defense secretary. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has a privileged resolution to impeach Hegseth.

Under House rules, the resolution must be considered during the next voting session, which is next week.

Massie wrote on X: “There is one contingency in which I won’t reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns.”

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) posted on X Friday: “This is about you: the incompetence you’ve displayed, the bad advice you’ve given to the president, and your shameful and embarrassing episodes from firing our top generals to texting war plans to reporters.”

Hegseth said he is prepared for a fight. He released a video Thursday.

“Their obsession with political theater disguised as power drives them to try to destroy their opponents,” Hegseth said. “It’s all about the politics of personal destruction. It didn’t work with President Trump and it won’t work with me. You can rest assured of that.”

If Hegseth leaves his post, the path to confirm him could get a lot trickier in the new year. Trump could potentially get a replacement confirmed by the lame-duck Congress. In January, getting a Democratic-controlled Congress to confirm a new defense secretary would be difficult.