Trump vows to back Pete Hegseth as Republican lawmaker pushes impeachment vote

Representative Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against the defence secretary and plans to force a vote in the House of Representatives this week. Massie claims Hegseth broke the law by continuing military operations in Iran for more than 90 days without authorisation from Congress.

Massie says his move is also intended to pressure President Donald Trump into replacing Hegseth before Democrats have a chance to launch their own impeachment proceedings. The situation adds to the political tensions surrounding the administration's foreign policy decisions.

Trump responds

Trump has strongly criticised Massie, questioning his motives and calling him "a stone-cold loser". The president's defense of Hegseth signals potential resistance to the impeachment effort, though the outcome of the House vote remains uncertain.