WASHINGTON (Realist English). The Republicans’ rout in the midterm elections, which many compare to the 2008 defeat, triggered an immediate reaction within the party. Since Republican leaders are not prepared to criticise Donald Trump directly, whose term expires in two years, their attention shifted to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to CNN, the House of Representatives could vote on impeachment as early as next week.
“Scapegoat” for the war with Iran
The main complaint against Hegseth is his role in unleashing the war with Iran, which voters named as the key reason for the Republican defeat. According to party sources, Hegseth persuaded Trump to start the conflict “without a clear exit strategy” and “a plan for managing the inevitable political consequences.” He is also accused of “exaggerating the US ability to achieve a quick and easy victory” and continuing to insist on escalation even when it became clear that bombing was not bringing Tehran’s capitulation closer.
Significantly, Vice President JD Vance made an unusual statement on Wednesday, acknowledging: “The reason we lost is the war.” This effectively confirmed the main argument of Hegseth’s critics.
Impeachment on the agenda
Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, known for his anti-Trump stance, has already prepared eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth and told CNN he will launch impeachment proceedings as soon as Congress returns from recess next week.
Several Republican sources said they expect the vote could succeed. Democrats, for their part, have already promised their own investigations — from the conduct of the war to the “purges” of the top military leadership and policy on Ukraine.
Trump defends him but has doubts
Despite growing pressure, Donald Trump publicly remains loyal to his minister. “I think he’s doing a very good job,” the president said on Wednesday when asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth. According to CNN, just two days earlier Trump told Hegseth: “You’re my best guy. You’re the best I’ve got.”
However, according to CBS News, Trump has already been polling advisers and allies on whether to keep Hegseth in his post. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is named among possible successors. One source warned that Hegseth could leave the post before the new Congress is sworn in in January — and this is “not about Trump’s anger, but about arithmetic”: the Democratic majority in the Senate will complicate the confirmation of any replacement.
The Republicans’ rapid turn against Hegseth is not so much a principled assessment of his performance as the party’s attempt to find a “scapegoat” without touching Trump himself.
The war with Iran, which became for voters a symbol of the administration’s failure, made Hegseth a convenient target: he does not possess Trump’s electoral base and does not enjoy support on Capitol Hill.
However, the president’s decision to sacrifice the minister will be dictated not only by political expediency but also by the fear that without Hegseth it will be harder for him to pursue further escalation against Iran. The key question is whether the Pentagon chief will withstand pressure from his own party, or whether the 2026 defeat has already set in motion a mechanism for reshaping the Republican agenda in which Hegseth has no place.
