War Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Congress Thursday to approve at least $350 billion in defense funding, while rejecting calls to impeach him.
In a video posted on X, Hegseth defended changes at the Pentagon, including ending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, removing senior military leaders and working to rebuild recruitment.
He described the impeachment effort as political theater and said his actions were part of an effort to reshape the Pentagon and carry out President Donald Trump’s military agenda.
“We need every vote from every patriotic member of Congress,” Hegseth said, urging lawmakers to pass a reconciliation bill worth at least $350 billion to strengthen the military and the defense industrial base.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is leading the impeachment effort. In September, he filed eight articles accusing Hegseth of violating Congress’s war powers during the conflict with Iran and abusing his authority in other military operations.
Massie lost his Republican primary in May and plans to revive the effort when Congress returns next week. The House has not voted on the articles.
Trump defended Hegseth on Thursday, telling ABC News he plans to keep him in his Cabinet despite the impeachment push.
Hegseth called the effort politically motivated, saying a “disgruntled, defeated congressman,” along with his Democratic allies, had filed what he called sham articles of impeachment.
He also criticized former President Joe Biden and former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, accusing them of leaving the Pentagon in disarray and saying the Trump administration had to rebuild the military.
“We ended the weird and the woke and elevated patriots in strength,” Hegseth said, defending the end of diversity initiatives and changes to military personnel policies.
Hegseth also defended the administration’s operations against Iran, describing the campaign as a historic effort to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
He ended with a message for service members as the political dispute continues in Washington: “Don’t blink. Ignore the noise. Never hesitate.”
“We will not back down. We put America and the warfighter first, always and without apology.”
