Republicans turn against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over Iran war as impeachment vote looms following midterm defeat

Republican lawmakers are moving to hold U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responsible for the party’s sweeping midterm election defeat, accusing him of persuading President Donald Trump to launch the war against Iran without a clear exit strategy or a plan to manage its political consequences, CNN reported Wednesday, November 4.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky told CNN he plans to force a House vote on impeaching Hegseth when Congress returns next week. Multiple Republican sources said they expect the measure to pass.

Massie said he would abandon the effort only if Hegseth resigned before the vote. The congressman previously introduced articles of impeachment against the defense secretary in September, but the measure did not reach a vote before Congress recessed for the elections.

Several Republicans, speaking to CNN on condition of anonymity, accused Hegseth of overstating the military’s ability to defeat Iran quickly and continuing to advocate further strikes despite little evidence that additional bombing would bring Tehran closer to surrender.

The criticism has intensified following Tuesday’s elections, in which Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress. Senior party figures have privately acknowledged that their electoral problems extended beyond the war, although many remain reluctant to confront Trump directly.

Hegseth has become a central target of Republican frustration as lawmakers assess the political consequences of the conflict, including rising fuel prices and the administration’s failure to secure a swift conclusion to the fighting.

“If the president is serious about anyone taking responsibility for it, it’s Pete Hegseth,” a Republican close to the White House told CNN.

Vice President JD Vance also attributed the electoral defeat to the conflict, writing Wednesday that “the reason we lost is the war.”

Trump, however, publicly defended Hegseth when asked whether he was considering replacing the defense secretary.

“No, I think he’s doing a very good job,” Trump said.

The Pentagon rejected criticism of Hegseth, with spokesperson Sean Parnell saying the defense secretary remained committed to leading the department through the remainder of Trump’s presidency.

A House vote to impeach Hegseth would require a simple majority. Even if approved, impeachment would not automatically remove him from office; removal would require a subsequent Senate conviction.