Hegseth vows to fight impeachment, defends Iran war from Pentagon

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed Thursday to fight impeachment efforts and defended the Iran war as "courageous and historic" after Democrats won Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections, promising to investigate his Pentagon leadership. Democrats have pledged probes into Hegseth's conduct of the Iran war, his firing of top military officers, and strained relations with lawmakers amid a US$1.5 trillion defense spending push. Republican Representative Thomas Massie plans to reintroduce impeachment articles next week, while Vice President JD Vance said the war cost Republicans control of Congress. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, dismissed the effort as a "sham" in a video message, while President Donald Trump praised him as doing a "fantastic job." One Trump adviser said Hegseth "could be on the chopping block," and Democrats may also scrutinize his Ukraine policy and strikes on drug boats.