Hegseth says NATO allies rode on US taxpayers until Trump

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his record and attacked an impeachment bid against him, saying NATO allies had "ridden on the American taxpayer" for decades until President Trump demanded change. He made the remarks at his first news conference in six months. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican leaving Congress, filed a 34-page impeachment resolution focusing on the Iran war and military actions in Yemen and Venezuela. Hegseth called the effort "sabotage" and a "farce," arguing it would put US troops at risk and that he would "do it again tomorrow." Trump praised Hegseth's defense on Truth Social. NATO members, including the UK, committed last year to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a shift Hegseth cited as proof of burden sharing. He has previously faced criticism for mocking the Royal Navy and downplaying allies' role in Afghanistan.