Trump backs Hegseth as impeachment push fails

President Donald Trump has pledged to support Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if impeachment proceedings move forward, calling the Republican congressman who initiated the effort a "total failure" during a White House briefing. Trump stated he would back Hegseth, citing their shared success in "winning two wars" and making the world safer. He criticized Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who filed impeachment articles against the Pentagon chief, saying Massie harbors hatred. Massie, a Republican who lost his primary earlier this year to a Trump-backed opponent, filed the articles, requiring a vote by Wednesday. This follows reports that Trump had been discussing Hegseth's future with advisers after Democratic gains in the midterm elections.