---
title: "\"Didn't work against Trump, won't work against me\": Hegseth dismisses impeachment threat"
description: "US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the impeachment threat, calling the initiative by Republican Massie and Democrats \"political games.\" Trump publicly stated his intention to keep Hegseth in office, though media reported closed-door discussions between the president and advisers about the minister's departure."
date: 2026-11-06T01:11:58.978Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/hegseth-dismisses-impeachment-threat
tags: [pete-hegseth, impeachment, us-politics, thomas-massie, trump, pentagon, congress]
author: "Marina Slivenko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "Didn't work against Trump, won't work against me": Hegseth dismisses impeachment threat

![US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a sharp blue suit and tie delivering a statement](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/06/hegseth-otvergl-ugrozu-impichmenta-massi-demokraty/hegseth-otvergl-ugrozu-impichmenta-massi-demokraty-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Hegseth called the impeachment initiative "political games" and a "politics of personal destruction"
- The procedure is initiated by Republican Thomas Massie, acting in alliance with Democrats
- In September, Massie already introduced eight impeachment articles, but the House did not vote
- Following the midterm elections, Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress
- Trump publicly stated his intent to keep Hegseth, but media reported closed-door discussions about his possible departure

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly dismissed the threat of impeachment, calling the initiative "political games." According to him, attempts to remove him from office will not succeed, much like previous impeachment proceedings aimed at President Donald Trump. The Pentagon chief delivered a sharp statement accusing opponents of a "politics of personal destruction" and claiming their actions are driven by a lack of results in their own policies.

### Who is behind the impeachment campaign

The impeachment procedure is being initiated by Republican Thomas Massie, who, according to Hegseth, is acting in alliance with "disgruntled" Democrats. The Defense Secretary accused Massie and his like-minded peers of putting forward "bogus impeachment articles" in an effort to destroy political opponents instead of focusing on their own agenda. "Their obsession with political theater disguised as power drives them to try to destroy their opponents. All of this is the politics of personal destruction," Hegseth stated. He emphasized that Massie is a "disgruntled, defeated congressman" attempting to launch the procedure in an alliance with Democrats.

### The September attempt and eight articles of charges

This is not Massie's first attempt to launch impeachment proceedings. In September of this year, the congressman introduced eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of violating the Constitution and federal law. Among the key grievances were conducting military operations without Congressional authorization, illegal strikes on vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, and violations of the laws of war. However, the House of Representatives did not manage to vote on the resolution at the time: Speaker Mike Johnson prematurely concluded plenary work before a recess. Massie stated that he plans to reintroduce the resolution in the House of Representatives when lawmakers return to work next week.

### After the midterm elections: A new balance of power

The question of Hegseth's impeachment has re-escalated against the backdrop of US midterm elections, following which the Democratic Party gained control of both chambers of Congress. The new composition of the legislative body will take office in January 2027. It is this shift in the balance of power that apparently gives impetus to Massie's renewed attempt to launch the procedure. Hegseth, however, expressed confidence that the impeachment threat poses no danger to him: "It didn't work against President Trump and it won't work against me. You can be sure of that," the Pentagon chief emphasized.

### Trump's position: Public statements and private conversations

President Donald Trump earlier stated publicly that he intends to keep Hegseth in his post as Defense Secretary despite calls for his dismissal. However, media reports citing sources indicated that Trump discussed the question of whether Hegseth should step down in telephone conversations with his advisers. Thus, the president's public rhetoric and, according to the press, his closed-door consultations with aides demonstrate a certain discrepancy in assessing the situation. Hegseth, in turn, explicitly referred to the precedent with Trump in his statement, pointing out that impeachment is not an instrument capable of changing the status quo at the Pentagon.

## Accounts differ

### Trump's position on keeping Hegseth in office

- **Donald Trump (public statement):** Intends to keep Hegseth in the position of Defense Secretary despite calls for his dismissal ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ne-spratsyuvalo-proti-trampa-spratsyue-y-1793927085.html))
- **Media (citing sources):** Trump called his advisers regarding whether Hegseth should step down from office ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ne-spratsyuvalo-proti-trampa-spratsyue-y-1793927085.html))

*Where they agree:* Trump publicly stated his intention to keep Hegseth in the post of Defense Secretary

## Fact-Check & Sources

- ["Не сработало против Трампа, не сработает и со мной": Хегсет о своем импичменте](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ne-spratsyuvalo-proti-trampa-spratsyue-y-1793927085.html) - Primary source containing direct quotes from Hegseth, information about Massie, the September impeachment attempt, the context of the midterm elections, and Trump's position. All facts in the article are taken from this source.

## FAQ

### Who is initiating Pete Hegseth's impeachment?

The procedure is initiated by Republican Thomas Massie, who, according to Hegseth, is acting in alliance with Democrats. Massie plans to reintroduce the resolution in the House of Representatives next week.

### What charges are contained in the impeachment articles?

In September, Massie introduced eight impeachment articles accusing Hegseth of violating the Constitution and federal law, conducting military operations without Congressional approval, illegal strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, and violating the laws of war.

### Why didn't the House of Representatives vote on the resolution in September?

House Speaker Mike Johnson prematurely concluded plenary work before a recess, resulting in the vote not taking place.

### What is Donald Trump's position regarding Hegseth?

Trump publicly stated that he intends to keep Hegseth in the position of Defense Secretary. Meanwhile, media citing sources reported that Trump discussed Hegseth's potential departure in phone calls with advisers.