Pete Hegseth press conference updates: Defence secretary brands impeachment attempt 'sabotage'

Pete Hegseth press conference updates: Defence secretary brands impeachment attempt 'sabotage' US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says he would "welcome" a trial to defend his record over the Iran conflict after an impeachment motion was filed Pete Hegseth says he would "welcome" an impeachment trial over the United States' conflict in Iran. The defence secretary has branded a bid to impeach him as "sabotage" as he attempts to fight back against claims he has waged war against Iran without congressional approval. In his first press conference since May, Mr Hegseth said the motion for impeachment gives a message to enemies that the US will "punish its own warriors and its own civilian leadership for successfully executing lawful military operations". And he said he was happy to stand trial stating: "If they want to talk about President Trump's foreign policy and national security record, let's do it I'll see you there." Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who lost his primary to a Trump-backed opponent, filed the impeachment resolution in the House on Monday. Massie said Hegseth's actions amount to "high crimes and misdemeanors" and his leadership at the Pentagon "warrants impeachment". The resolution follows the Republicans' dismal showing at the US midterm elections where the Democrats took both chambers of Congress. It is widely viewed that rising inflation partly due to the Iran conflict played a big part in the defeat. Key Events 'I'll see you there' says Hegseth, claiming he would 'welcome' impeachment debate Pete Hegseth says that he would "welcome" a trial after the impeachment motion saying "I'll see you there". He stated: "Its what happens when you put people with ideological agendas in charge of instututions. If they want to talk about President Trump's foreign policy and national security record, let's do it I'll see you there. "Let's have a conversation about the success that I have lined out here, which for partisan issues they want to take issue with but the ability for America to project power and ensure security of the American people has never been better than it is right here today." Iran is 'number one sponsor of terrorism' says Hegseth Iran will continue to try and rebuild and pose a nuclear threat, says Hegseth. "It is the number one state sponsor of terorrism, committed to terrorism, they build tunnels and caves we know they will try to reconstitute we are in a much stronger position going forward none the less," said the defence secretary. 'Not high crimes they are jobs well done' Pete Hegseth said that the military operations by the US are "not high crimes they are jobs well done". He stated: "Iran, cartels, Maduro, Yemen... everyone was a lawful operation ordered by the commander in chief and then ordered by myself notified to Congress and executed by American warriors who did their jobs." On claims that the American military targeted civilians he said that was "slander", adding: "The only people who target civilians are the terrorists we hunt." 'I stand by every single operation' says Hegseth Pete Hegseth says that he stands by all the operations that he gave the go-ahead for as defence secretary. He stated: "I stand by every single one of these operations I was proud to execute them and I would do them again." Hegseth claimed that his orders meant there would be "no nuclear bomb for Iran ever". And he pointed out that this "doesn't come free" with 18 US military killed in Iran, adding: "Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve." Hegseth says impeachment bid is 'sabotage' Pete Hegseth says that the motion for an impeachment gives a message to enemies that the United States will "punish its own warriors and its own civilian leadership for successfully executing lawful military operations." The defence secretary claimed it was "not patriotism it is sabotage" Hegseth claims impeachment motion is 'farce and stunt' Pete Hegseth has started his press conference with an attack on Rep Thomas Massie over his impeachment motion calling it a "farce and a stunt". He told journalists the bid was a "political spectacle" that was "driven by ego and resentment". Hegseth says that the aim is to "damage" Donald Trump as president. Footage shows Hegseth press conference due to start at 1pm Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is to give his first news conference from the Pentagon in six months today, just a day after a Republican lawmaker launched an effort to impeach him over his handling of the unpopular war against Iran and other actions. It is scheduled to start at 1pm UK time. Hegseth backs record saying 'Iran devastated' Pete Hegseth has backed his record reiterating that “Iran is devastated,” even though the Islamic Republic has been able to keep striking military bases in the Middle East that are used by the United States. The strikes by Iran are causing billions of pounds in damage, as well as impacting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Disruptions to shipping in the waterway, where one-fifth of the world’s oil passed before the war, have led to higher energy prices that hit voters’ pocketbooks. Hegseth’s defence of the war comes after about 6 in 10 voters said the US made the “wrong decision” in taking military action against Iran, according to The AP Voter Poll, a survey of more than 100,000 voters in the United States. Hegseth committed 'high crimes and misdemeanours' claims Massie Thomas Massie has claimed Hegseth’s actions amounted to “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Hegseth, he said, “knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders” and “remains a threat to the Constitution.” Massie also stated: "By engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorisation, Secretary Hegseth is breaking the law and must be held accountable." Massie formally introduced his impeachment articles in a resolution on the House floor on Monday. It starts a 48-hour clock for the chamber to take up the measure. Lawmakers could vote on the resolution directly, vote to refer it to committee or to set it aside. Hegseth is “100% committed' to remaining as defence secretary, says Pentagon chief Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s top spokesman, released a statement saying that “despite threats of sham witch hunts from Democrats,” Hegseth is “100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump’s term in office.” A vote in the House could come by mid-week, but next steps are highly uncertain. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries supports the measure. If most Democrats follow him, Massie would only need support from a few Republicans to impeach Hegseth. If the House votes to impeach, it would fall to to the Senate to either dismiss the charges or hold a trial. Republicans remain in the majority in both chambers, until the new Congress convenes in January with Democrats in control. Hegseth says he is 'happy all day long' to face litigation over military action Pete Hegseth has been defending his stewardship of the US military since the Republican defeats in the midterm elections. “There’s a lot of politically motivated people who may have substantial policy disagreements, but their disagreements are with success,” he told reporters Monday after a speech at the Naval War College in Rhode Island. He added that “if we want to litigate” the military actions that the Trump administration has taken, “I’m happy to do it all day long.” He also released a video on social media last week that argued impeachment would be “all about the politics of personal destruction” and that “won’t work with me. You can rest assured of that.” Afterwards, scores of Pentagon political appointees posted images of Hegseth emblazoned with the words, “Stand. Fight. Defend the Republic.” Trump continues to back Hegseth as impeachment vote could come by midweek A vote in the House could come by midweek, putting pressure on Republicans — many of whom blamed their election wipeout on the Iran war — but next steps are highly uncertain. Trump has backed Hegseth, pointing to the raid to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January as well as military operations against Iran that he asserts have “obliterated” its navy and air force. Iran, however, has been able to keep striking US military bases in the Middle East and has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz during the course of the more than 8-month-old conflict, driving up global oil prices. Trump told reporters Monday that the Iran war “militarily is effectively over” and repeated his often-made claim that Iran “would love to make a deal.” Impeachment seeks to oust prominent figure in Trump administration Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who lost his primary to a Trump-backed opponent, filed the impeachment resolution in the House on Monday. It sets the stage for a dramatic vote on whether to remove a prominent Trump administration figure following sweeping losses for Republicans in last week’s midterm elections that many at least partly blamed on the Iran conflict and its economic impact. The resolution largely focuses on the war in Iran but also includes references to Hegseth’s role in military actions in Yemen against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Venezuela. Massie said Hegseth’s actions amount to “high crimes and misdemeanors” and his leadership at the Pentagon “warrants impeachment.” Hegseth to give first news conference in six months Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is to give his first news conference from the Pentagon in six months, just a day after a Republican lawmaker launched an effort to impeach him over his handling of the unpopular war against Iran and other actions. The briefing will be Hegseth’s first since May even as the U.S. military has kept up intermittent operations against the Islamic Republic as well as fatal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in Latin America. Hegseth, who has said the news conference would focus on the impeachment threat, is gearing up for a fight, having launched a social media blitz and saying he is ready to defend his and President Donald Trump’s actions from “politically motivated people.”