Senator Mark Kelly: Hegseth 'must go'

Democratic Senator from Arizona, Mark Kelly, said that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should “leave as soon as possible,” at a time when Republican lawmakers are seeking to hold Hegseth responsible for the resounding defeat that the Republican Party suffered in the midterm elections.

"Donald Trump should impeach him," Kelly told CNN colleague Jake Tapper. "If he doesn't, we'll see what House Republicans are up to; they appear to be moving toward impeaching him. We'll see where that goes. I want him gone as quickly as possible because he's simply incapable of doing the job, and he's doing great harm to the U.S. military."

The House of Representatives may vote, perhaps next week, to impeach Hegseth, who holds the highest leadership position in the Pentagon.

Kelly, a retired US Navy captain, noted that once Democrats control Congress, they will "put pressure on the president" to end the war in Iran, adding: "We have the tools to do that."

Asked if he plans to run for president in 2028 — something he has previously hinted at the possibility of considering publicly — Kelly told Tapper he hasn't made up his mind yet.

He added: “Right now, I am making a lot of phone calls to congratulate the winners of last night’s elections. As for the rest of the matters, I will discuss them later with my family.”