Hegseth faces impeachment push and Republican criticism

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting Republican criticism over the Iran war and a renewed impeachment effort by Rep. Thomas Massie, as President Donald Trump publicly says he intends to keep him in the job. Massie plans to bring impeachment articles back before the House when lawmakers return next week, but the resolution has not yet been voted on.

Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said Friday that lawmakers have many questions about Hegseth and the administration’s strategy in Iran. Comer said deciding whether to replace the defense secretary rests with Trump, and he did not call for Hegseth’s removal.

Comer also said some Republican voters were angry about the Iran conflict and rising gas prices, and that many stayed home during the midterm elections. That was his assessment of voters’ reactions; the reports do not independently establish why those voters did not turn out.

Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, intends to reintroduce eight articles of impeachment and said he would abandon the effort if Hegseth resigns. The proposed articles include allegations that Hegseth pursued military action against Iran without congressional...