Trump and Chief Pentagon spokesperson defend Hegseth. But an impeachment vote is reportedly coming as soon as this week

President Donald Trump and the chief Pentagon spokesman have defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as reports indicate an impeachment vote could reach the House as soon as this week. Axios reported Sunday that House Republican leaders are bracing for enough party defections to support the measure when it comes up for a vote.

The reports come after Tuesday’s midterm elections, in which Democrats gained majority control of both the House and the Senate. Republicans held the Florida governor and Senate races by narrow margins, but other contests that had been viewed as safely Republican flipped by large margins. In Texas, Democrats swept all statewide races, numerous judicial races, and took control of the State House despite a gerrymandering push by President Trump in multiple red states.

Hegseth has drawn attention because of the Iran War and its effects on gas and diesel prices, which played a major role in the Republican losses, according to the reporting. Trump has reacted to the results by posting on his Truth Social account. Several top officials resigned from the Department of Justice, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was replaced with Stephen Miller on Friday.

House Republicans and White House officials discuss Hegseth’s position

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky launched impeachment proceedings against Hegseth last month by filing eight impeachment articles. Hegseth responded to the election results with a nearly six-minute video that criticized Massie for being bitter about losing his primary to a Trump-endorsed challenger. Mediaite points out that critics mocked the video as a “desperate” move.

On Friday, Politico reported that White House discussions about whether Hegseth should stay have intensified, according to two senior administration officials. The outlet noted the vote could come “as early as next week.” Democrats have warned Hegseth to “lawyer up” and said investigating him and his department will be “a key focus of their agenda” next year.

A senior administration official told Politico, “A lot of the senior staff would tell you that they believe Pete should go, that he’s not been good. It’s just been a culmination, and I think it all came to a head [on election] night.” Several congressional Republicans have criticized Hegseth in recent days. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer of Kentucky said on NewsNation that there were “a lot of questions about Hegseth” and added, “We have no idea what the strategy is moving forward on Iran.” He did not confirm how he would vote.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who is retiring, told Fox News that Hegseth does not have “a lot of love” among the members who will decide his fate. He told Axios he remains undecided. Public criticism of a Trump Cabinet member by congressional Republicans has been notable.

Hegseth was a controversial choice from the start because of his lack of experience and personal scandals. He was narrowly confirmed and needed Vice President JD Vance to cast a tie-breaking vote. Politico noted that “a handful of Republican defections would likely be all that’s needed to impeach him.” Even if he survives a vote this week, months of investigations by a Democratic-majority Congress next year could disrupt his plans.

Outgoing Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana blocked Massie’s effort from reaching a vote before the midterms. Massie has also said he wouldn’t reintroduce articles if Hegseth resigns. Axios reporter Kate Santaliz wrote that the political calculus has shifted dramatically since Tuesday, with the defeat fueling anger and increasing the number of Republicans willing to back impeachment. The Iran war has emerged as a top target in the blame game, with many lawmakers viewing Hegseth as “the face of the war.”

Trump defended Hegseth last week, saying he intended to “keep him” running the Pentagon. Axios reporters Marc Caputo and Alex Isenstadt reported Wednesday that he is on “thin ice,” with other White House officials urging the president to cut him loose. Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he has every intention to “keep him” in his post.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended Hegseth in a statement to Axios: “Secretary Hegseth will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points or launch phony investigations where no wrongdoing exists.”

He added: “The Department of War has followed the law, and our Secretary will continue to stand and fight every single day to support and defend the Constitution, lead our troops, and protect America. We will continue to drive President Trump’s agenda at the Department of War – despite threats of sham witch hunts from Democrats – and Secretary Hegseth is 100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump’s term in office.”

A House vote would be only the first step. If Hegseth remains in place through the next few weeks, the incoming Democratic House could vote to impeach him after members are sworn in in January. Removing him would still require a two-thirds vote in the Senate, which most observers say would need more Republican defections than currently appear likely. Democrats in both chambers can still pursue investigations and hearings.