Trump says he has ‘every intention’ of keeping Pete Hegseth
The president’s Nov. 5 statement was more explicit than his praise a day earlier, as Rep. Thomas Massie tied his impeachment effort to Hegseth’s resignation and Republicans voiced concerns.
President Donald Trump said on Nov. 5 that he has “every intention to keep” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, making a more explicit public commitment as calls for the Pentagon chief’s removal and reported Republican concerns continued. Trump acknowledged receiving calls from people unhappy with Hegseth and said he did not understand why they were calling, ABC News reported.
Trump also said it would be easier to confirm a replacement before Democrats take over in January, ABC reported. A day earlier, he had said Hegseth was doing a “very good job” when asked whether he was considering replacing him, Reuters reported. The statements mark a shift in emphasis, but Trump’s Nov. 5 remarks did not announce a personnel decision.
Massie says he will proceed unless Hegseth resigns
Republican Representative Thomas Massie wrote on X on Nov. 4 that he would not reintroduce articles of impeachment in one circumstance: “Hegseth resigns.” Hindustan Times reported the post and said Massie intended to continue his effort unless Hegseth left office. The accusations behind the effort are Massie’s allegations; the reporting does not establish them as findings of wrongdoing. The impeachment effort had not reached a House vote before the chamber went into recess for the midterm elections, Hindustan Times reported.
Iran war and Congress add pressure on Hegseth
Reuters reported that an unnamed Trump adviser believed Hegseth could be blamed for the Iran war as Republicans assessed their midterm losses. That was the adviser’s assessment, not an announced decision by Trump. Vice President JD Vance had publicly questioned whether the war was worth its cost. Trump has previously described Hegseth as an early advocate for the conflict, saying on March 23 that Hegseth was the first to speak up in favour of acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Lawmakers’ relations with Hegseth are also a concern as the administration seeks a $1.5 trillion defence spending package. Senator Thom Tillis told CBS News that Hegseth had “a reckoning” coming and questioned whether he was the best person to advance the administration’s priorities in Congress, Reuters reported. Tillis said the current Congress had only 60 days left. The White House referred Reuters to Trump’s public remarks, while the Defense Department said Hegseth was “100 percent committed” to leading the Pentagon through the end of Trump’s term on Jan. 20, 2029.
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Sources and context
- Trump says he has 'every intention' to keep HegsethABC News
- Trump says Hegseth doing 'a very good job' as questions swirl about defence secretary's futureDawn, carrying Reuters reporting
- Massie says won't seek Hegseth's impeachment if Defense Secretary resigns, after midterms washoutHindustan Times; article identifies CNN as the source of the report it describes
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.