Hegseth faces mounting pressure to absorb blame for midterm losses

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is emerging as the likely scapegoat for the Republican midterm election losses, a shift that contrasts with President Donald Trump's vocal protection of his cabinet member. The conflict in Iran, which voters and Trump identified as a primary factor in the party's defeat, has become the central point of contention. A former senior Pentagon official told CNN that the war was a Department of Defense-led effort because the administration chose military action to resolve a foreign policy matter. If the president intends to assign responsibility, that official argued, Hegseth is the logical choice.

Internal pressure on the defense secretary has intensified following the election results. A Republican close to the White House told CNN that Hegseth had been either dishonest or incorrect regarding timelines, goals, and objectives since the start of the conflict. Vice President JD Vance publicly questioned the value of the Iran war on Wednesday, stating that it cost Republicans control of Congress. Meanwhile, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has filed eight impeachment accusations against Hegseth and plans to force a House vote on the matter soon.

Trump has maintained his support for Hegseth, describing him as a champion of the war effort. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said he believed Hegseth was doing a very good job and denied considering a replacement. Trump recalled a conversation on March 23, where Hegseth advocated for military action to prevent a nuclear threat. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson stated that the entire department remains unified behind the secretary's vision and will continue to prioritize warfighters and America.

Hegseth's strained relationship with lawmakers is also complicating the administration's legislative goals. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina told CBS News on Tuesday that Hegseth faces a reckoning. Tillis argued that the secretary's difficult dynamic with Congress is undermining the push for a $1.5 trillion defense spending package. With the current Congress ending in 60 days, Tillis questioned whether Hegseth is the best person to secure necessary funding before that deadline.

Democrats have pledged to expand their oversight of the Pentagon. Aides indicated that investigations could cover Hegseth's handling of the Iran war, his purges of top military officers, including the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, and his Ukraine policy. Scrutiny may also extend to US military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in Latin American waters, which some Democrats have described as potential war crimes.

Representative Adam Smith, who is expected to lead the House armed services committee next year, promised vigorous oversight. He cited the Iran war and the erosion of the apolitical foundation of the armed forces as key areas for review.