Trump backs Hegseth against impeachment push
President Donald Trump voiced support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth even if he faces impeachment proceedings, while attacking Republican Representative Thomas Massie who filed the impeachment resolution Monday. Trump said he would stand by Hegseth, calling Massie "a total failure" with "a lot of hate in his heart." The president cited winning "two wars" and making the world safer as reasons against impeachment. Massie's filing requires a vote by Wednesday, though Hegseth dismissed the initiative. Trump also compared Hegseth favorably to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, questioning why Austin wasn't impeached for his undisclosed hospitalization in late 2023 and early 2024, and criticized Austin's handling of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.