Pentagon Chief Faces Pressure After Democrats Win Congress

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting pressure after Democrats won sweeping majorities in Congress, with plans to investigate him and the Iran war he championed, which Republicans blame for midterm losses. Democrats, including Representatives Jason Crow and Adam Smith, vow vigorous oversight of the Pentagon and the "illegal war against Iran," while Republican Thomas Massie plans to reintroduce impeachment articles. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell insists Hegseth remains committed to his role. Hegseth has survived prior scandals, including a leaked Signal chat on Yemen strikes and a scrapped livestreamed execution plan. The Iran conflict, which partially blocked the Strait of Hormuz, has driven energy price surges that angered voters, with Trump and Vance acknowledging its role in the election losses.