Pentagon chief Hegseth sees impeachment motion as a “show trial”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected impeachment proceedings against him as a "show trial" and "political spectacle". "The whole thing is a farce and it's a set-up - and everyone knows it," said the Pentagon chief in an otherwise rare press conference.

Referring to the war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel, Hegseth, who describes himself as "minister of war," said: "I stand behind every single one of these missions. I was proud to have carried them out and would do it again tomorrow." The allegations against him do not justify impeachment; they are merely political differences of opinion.

Accusation of abuse of power

Republican Representative Thomas Massie, an internal party critic of US President Donald Trump, requested impeachment proceedings against Hegseth in the House of Representatives on Monday. Among other things, he accused Hegseth of sending armed forces into combat operations against Iran even though Congress had not given authorization.

The Pentagon chief is under massive pressure after the Republicans' defeat in the US midterm elections, especially because of the Iran war. Hegseth, on the other hand, certified that he had “done his job well”. He also defended the killing of suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific.

Vote on the application probably this week

The House of Representatives is expected to consider the proposal this week. If a majority of the House of Representatives votes to initiate impeachment proceedings, the case will be referred to the Senate - the second chamber of Parliament. A two-thirds majority would be required in a vote for impeachment.

US President Donald Trump's Republicans currently still have a majority in both chambers. The new legislative period begins at the beginning of January. Then the Democrats have majorities in both chambers after the Republicans suffered a devastating defeat in the midterms a week ago.