Trump backs Hegseth as 'fantastic' despite no US combat deaths claim

US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday, calling his performance "fantastic" amid growing pressure and potential Republican votes against him. Republican lawmakers are expected to vote on a resolution rejecting Hegseth's performance, with some blaming him for party losses in midterm elections related to the Iran war. Representative Thomas Massie plans to introduce an impeachment vote next week, which multiple Republican sources expect to pass. Trump claimed inaccurately that no US soldiers have been killed in six or seven months, though Pentagon records show four soldiers died in July and a Navy pilot died in a helicopter crash. Trump also signed a decree designating the Oval Office and Cabinet Room as national landmarks.