Defiant Pete Hegseth claps back at foes demanding his impeachment after midterm romp

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WASHINGTON — A defiant Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired back at plans to impeach him, declaring that he won’t back down.

The House is expected to vote on an impeachment resolution against Hegseth that outgoing libertarian-leaning Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced in September when it gavels back into session next week.

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“Just like the president. We don’t back down. And that especially applies now,” Hegseth declared in a nearly six-minute video message filmed outside the Department of War.

“This is not about me, but of course, the other side, in case you’ve noticed, they’re obsessed,” Hegseth went on. “A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice.”

Hegseth had campaigned against Massie in his primary — a highly unusual move for a Pentagon honcho. Massie justified his impeachment push against Hegseth by citing Hegseth’s role in the war in Iran.

Many Democrats have signaled plans to potentially impeach Hegseth when they roar back to power next year with one of the largest House majorities since at least 2008.

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Rumors have swirled that Hegseth could step down and get an appointment by Tennessee Gov.-elect Marsha Blackburn to fill her soon-to-be vacant old Senate seat. Hegseth’s close allies have shot those rumors down.

The secretary of war also used his video message to push for lawmakers to pass additional funding for the Department of War.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.