Republicans pressure Hegseth to resign after Iran war costs midterms

Republicans are pressuring Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to resign after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in midterm elections, with anger over the Iran war blamed for the Republican rout. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie said he will not reintroduce impeachment articles if Hegseth steps down, while Democrats have promised to investigate his handling of the war and other actions. President Donald Trump backed Hegseth on Wednesday, saying he is doing a very good job, though Vice President JD Vance questioned whether the war was worth it. Democratic lawmakers plan a privileged resolution vote on impeachment when Congress returns, and Senator Thom Tillis said Hegseth's strained relationships are undermining a $1.5 trillion defense spending package. The situation echoes 2006, when President George Bush fired Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld after midterm losses over the Iraq war.