Democrats target Hegseth as Iran war fallout intensifies

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting pressure from both sides of the aisle following the midterm elections. Democratic lawmakers, who secured sweeping majorities in both houses of Congress this week, are preparing to make the Pentagon chief a central target in their oversight efforts. Simultaneously, members of the Republican Party are blaming the Iran war, which Hegseth has championed, for their recent electoral setbacks.

Hegseth, a former Fox News co-host and National Guard officer, has navigated numerous controversies since assuming his role in early 2025. Although President Donald Trump has previously defended the Pentagon chief, stating that he is doing a very good job, the political landscape has shifted. Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance have now attributed the election losses to the ongoing conflict with Iran, a war in which Hegseth serves as a key advocate and public face.

The conflict has had significant global economic repercussions, particularly after Iran partially blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The resulting surge in energy prices and broader economic instability has angered US voters. Vice President Vance stated that the war is the reason for the losses, while President Trump described this assessment as largely true.

With control of Congress, Democrats now possess the authority to launch investigations and restrict funding for the Defense Department and the Iran campaign. Representative Jason Crow, a Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, declared that he is going after Hegseth. Crow criticized the secretary as incompetent and corrupt, arguing that he is undermining national security and troop safety.

Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, outlined the committee’s new priorities. He said the focus will be on conducting vigorous oversight of the Department of Defense and the administration, specifically regarding what he called the illegal war against Iran. Smith also listed the strikes on drug-smuggling boats, the deployment of troops to US cities, and the politicization of the armed forces as high-priority issues for investigation.

The Pentagon has responded with confidence. Spokesman Sean Parnell stated on Thursday that Hegseth will not be deterred by politicians seeking partisan points or launching phony investigations. Parnell emphasized that the defense secretary is fully committed to leading the department until the end of Trump’s term.

Hegseth also faces a threat from within his own party. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, plans to introduce articles of impeachment when the House returns to session next week. Massie, who previously attempted to impeach Hegseth before a House recess, said he would withdraw the proposal only if the secretary resigns. He noted that his resolution is a gentler version of what he expects Democrats to implement, which will include hearings and trials.

The secretary’s tenure has been marked by several distinct controversies. Most recently, Trump scrapped a plan to livestream a military firing squad execution. Earlier, The Atlantic magazine revealed that Hegseth had been included in a Signal chat with the publication’s editor-in-chief while discussing imminent strikes on Yemen. The Pentagon chief had sent messages about the timing of those strikes hours before they occurred.

Other contentious actions include strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. One attack last year left survivors who were killed in a subsequent strike, drawing significant criticism. Additionally, numerous senior military officials, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown, have been dismissed with little public explanation, further fueling calls for congressional scrutiny.