Hegseth defends Iran war record and vows to fight impeachment push

▲ Escalating

Hegseth vows to fight impeachment push as Republicans blame Iran war for midterm losses

In a video message released late Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called efforts in Congress to impeach him a sham and described the Iran war as courageous and historic. The White House has played down reports that Hegseth and Secretary of State Rubio could leave after the losses. Democrats won the House and Senate in Tuesday's midterms and take control of both chambers in January.

• Thomas Massie has filed eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth. Democrats can adopt them in the House, but Senate conviction would need Republican votes.
• Vice-President JD Vance said the Iran war was the real reason Republicans lost, which was described as one of the sharpest breaks with a sitting president in recent memory. Trump said the war may have played a role but did not take personal responsibility.
• Democrats say they will lower living costs and hold the administration to account. Incoming House oversight chair Robert Garcia told Trump and Republicans to 'lawyer up'.
• Alaska and Mississippi Senate races were still uncalled, and Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly will not seek the House minority leader post.