The Republican Party suffered a disastrous defeat and urgently seeks war criminals! U.S. Defense Secretary may be impeached by fellow party members, Trump’s attitude exposed

U.S. President Trump talks with Defense Secretary Hegseth (left) at the Air National Guard Base in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 23. Trump is still publicly supporting Hegseth, despite calls for accountability and even impeachment within the Republican Party. (Reuters)

After the US Republican Party suffered a historic defeat in the midterm elections, a storm of accountability immediately set off within the party. According to CNN, many Republican lawmakers are quickly pointing the finger of defeat at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of playing an important role in persuading President Trump to go to war with Iran but lacking a clear exit strategy. House members are even planning to push for an impeachment vote against the Pentagon chief next week.

"CNN" quoted multiple anonymous Republicans as saying that senior leaders in the party privately admitted that the cause of the election defeat was not limited to the war, but Republican leaders and many party members were still unwilling to directly blame Trump. Therefore, Hegseth, who strongly advocates military action against Iran, becomes an obvious target of accountability.

Anti-Trump Republican Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie has told CNN that he plans to push for an impeachment vote against Hegseth when Congress resumes next week. Many Republican sources expect that the relevant vote may be passed.

Regarding the reasons for his defeat, Vice President J.D. Vance issued an unusual statement the day after the election, bluntly saying: "The reason we lost was this war." Vance did not name who should be responsible, but some Republicans believe that the conflict has evolved into a quagmire, which has not only plunged the United States into a long-term situation in the Middle East, but also increased the pressure on people's lives, ultimately triggering voters' backlash against the Republican Party.

The call for accountability within the party rises, but Trump still supports it

Despite rising calls for accountability within the party, sources within the White House told CNN that Trump's trust in Hegseth has not been shaken. Trump privately told aides that Hegseth should fight back against impeachment and investigations; a White House official also revealed that Trump praised Hegseth in person a few days ago: "You are the best person I have, you are the best person I have."

During the interview, Trump also defended his decision to go to war with Iran, stressing that if he had it to do over again, he would make the same decision and denying any intention to replace Hegseth.

"CNN" quoted sources familiar with Trump's thinking as saying that if Trump decides to launch more attacks on Iran, there may be more reasons to retain Hegseth. In addition, after the Democratic Party obtains a majority in the Senate, the government's personnel nominations for new cabinet officials may also face a more complicated confirmation process.

In the face of possible congressional investigations and impeachment actions, the Pentagon has shown a tough stance. Sean Parnell, the chief spokesman for the Department of Defense, issued a statement in response, emphasizing that Hegseth is 100% committed to leading the Department of Defense until the end of Trump's term and will not back down from attempts by politicians to launch investigations.