Hegseth Asks Congress for $350B Reconciliation Bill, Dismisses Impeachment Push

War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday urged Congress to pass a reconciliation bill of at least $350 billion to strengthen the military and the defense industrial base. "We need every vote from every patriotic member of Congress," he said.

In a video posted to X, Hegseth defended his Pentagon overhaul, including eliminating DEI initiatives, removing military leaders and rebuilding recruitment. "We ended the weird and the woke and elevated patriots in strength," he said, accusing former President Biden and former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of leaving the department in disarray.

He also answered the impeachment effort led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who introduced eight articles in September accusing Hegseth of violating congressional war powers during the Iran conflict and abusing his authority in other military operations. Massie lost his May primary and plans to renew the effort when Congress returns next week; the House has not voted on the articles. Hegseth called the push politically motivated, citing "a disgruntled, defeated congressman along with all his Democrat allies."

President Trump told ABC News Thursday that he intends to keep Hegseth in his Cabinet. Hegseth, defending the Iran campaign as an effort to keep Tehran from nuclear weapons, told troops: "Don't blink. Ignore the noise. Never hesitate."