Hegseth’s Future in Question After Midterm Losses, as Impeachment Vote Looms

After Republicans’ midterm losses, which many in the party tie to the Iran war, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces an impeachment push and questions about whether he’ll stay. President Trump says he’s doing a great job. Here’s where things stand.

By Quinn BallardPublished

As of November 5, 2026.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing growing pressure after Tuesday’s midterm elections, in which Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress. Many Republicans and outside analysts have pointed to the unpopular war with Iran, which Hegseth strongly backed, as a major factor. President Trump has publicly defended him, but an impeachment vote could come as soon as next week.

What Trump has said

Trump has repeatedly said Hegseth will stay:

  • On Wednesday, he told reporters Hegseth is doing “a very good job.”
  • In an ABC News interview, he acknowledged that the war had contributed to Republican losses, but said Hegseth would remain and that the war was necessary.
  • On Thursday, he said Hegseth had done “a fantastic job” and suggested his opposition comes partly from generals he removed.

At the same time, two sources told The Hill that Trump has been asking allies about Hegseth’s standing. One described him as in “a lot of trouble”; the other said it was unclear how serious the threat was. Trump also noted in an interview that a replacement would be easier to confirm before Democrats take control of the Senate in January.

Hegseth’s spokesperson told ABC News he intends to serve through the end of Trump’s term.

The impeachment push

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) says he’ll bring eight articles of impeachment to the House floor when Congress returns next week. He first introduced them in September, but the House recessed for the campaign before a vote. The articles allege that Hegseth:

  • Violated the War Powers Resolution by starting and continuing the Iran war without congressional authorization.
  • Disregarded laws meant to limit civilian casualties.
  • Ordered unlawful killings in strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.
  • Retaliated against Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
  • Directed operations in Venezuela and Yemen without legal authority.

Massie lost his May primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, for whom Hegseth also campaigned, and leaves office in January. He has said Trump should replace Hegseth to avoid impeachment. Democrats have signaled support, and CNN reported that multiple Republican sources expect the measure to pass the House. Removal would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

How Hegseth and his allies are responding

  • Hegseth called the articles a “sham” in a video recorded outside the Pentagon. He said Democrats were “obsessed” with “the politics of personal destruction” and urged Congress to pass a $350 billion defense package. He told troops to “ignore the noise” and stay focused on the mission.
  • The White House posted a video highlighting his tenure.
  • Mark Lucas, a Hegseth ally who leads the group Veteran Action, warned Republicans that his group would hold accountable any Republican who votes to impeach.
  • A senior Pentagon official told The Hill that replacing Hegseth isn’t “practical,” given the difficulty of confirming a successor during the lame-duck session.

The case against him from Republicans

  • Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has urged Trump to replace Hegseth.
  • A Republican congressional official told The Hill that Hegseth’s position on Capitol Hill had become “completely untenable.”
  • John Ullyot, a former Pentagon spokesman under Hegseth who has written a book critical of him, said Hegseth was never qualified for the job.

Vice President JD Vance, who opposed the Iran war within the administration, has blamed the war for the party’s losses.

What could happen next

  • The House vote. If the House impeaches Hegseth, the Senate would hold a trial. Conviction is unlikely to reach two-thirds.
  • A replacement. Confirming a successor during the lame duck would depend on Republican senators, including several who are leaving office and have clashed with Trump, among them Sens. John Cornyn, Bill Cassidy and Mitch McConnell. Senate Democrats have floated Hegseth’s departure as leverage in defense spending talks.
  • Tennessee. Hegseth has been mentioned as a possible appointee to Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s seat if she leaves to become governor. Blackburn has said she’ll choose her own successor, and other Tennessee Republicans are also interested. Trump said Wednesday that Hegseth would be “very popular” there but that he hadn’t heard of the idea.
  • DeSantis. The Hill cited a CBS News report that Trump is considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a replacement. One source said DeSantis isn’t interested.

The Iran war

One source told The Hill the administration is reviewing plans to resume military operations against Iran. Asked Thursday, Trump said he hadn’t decided on the war’s future.

Sources

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