US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his confidence in Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as pressure mounts on the Pentagon chief over an impeachment effort and speculation about his political future.
Trump made his position clear during an interview on CBS News’ 60 Minutes aired on Sunday, November 8, 2026, his first major television interview since Republicans suffered significant losses in the November 3 midterm elections.
Asked whether he still had confidence in Hegseth, Trump responded in the affirmative, maintaining that the defence secretary remained part of his administration’s leadership team.
The president also referred to the administration’s military operations, including actions involving Venezuela, while discussing Hegseth’s performance. However, when asked whether he credited the defence secretary for those operations, Trump said Hegseth was part of the effort.
The public show of support comes as Hegseth faces an impeachment campaign led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who has accused him of exceeding his authority in military operations, particularly the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against the defence secretary, alleging violations involving military action without proper congressional authorisation, among other accusations.
The impeachment effort gained renewed attention as Congress resumed its post-election session on November 9. Massie is pushing for a House vote, while Democratic leaders have also indicated support for holding Hegseth accountable.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has declared his support for the impeachment resolution, accusing Hegseth of abusing his office and contributing to a costly war.
Hegseth has rejected the allegations, describing the impeachment campaign as politically motivated. On Tuesday, he again defended his record, arguing that removing him would encourage America’s adversaries.
Beyond the impeachment battle, questions have also emerged about Hegseth’s future in the Trump administration following the Republican Party’s poor performance in the midterm elections.
Reports have indicated that Trump has privately consulted advisers about whether Hegseth should remain in his position, although the president has publicly defended him.
Speculation has also linked the defence secretary to a possible appointment to the United States Senate seat expected to become vacant when Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn assumes office as governor in January.
Trump previously suggested that Hegseth could be popular in the position, but Blackburn has reportedly dismissed the suggestion that she is considering him as her successor.
Republican Congressman Tim Burchett has openly expressed interest in being considered for the Senate appointment, adding another dimension to the political contest in Tennessee.
Hegseth, who has strong personal ties to the state, has also faced growing scrutiny over the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict, military leadership changes and other defence policies.
Democrats are preparing to use their expected congressional majorities in the next session to investigate several decisions made under his leadership.
Despite the mounting pressure, Trump’s latest comments suggest that he is not prepared to publicly withdraw his backing for the defence secretary.
The unfolding situation leaves Hegseth facing two major challenges: an impeachment push in Congress and uncertainty over how long he can retain political support within the administration.