War Secretary Pete Hegseth demands $350 billion, pushes back against Democratic impeachment efforts

War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday urged Congress to approve at least $350 billion in defense funding, while opposing efforts to impeach him.

In a video posted to X, Hegseth defended his overhaul of the Pentagon, including eliminating DEI initiatives, removing military leaders and rebuilding recruiting.

Hegseth called the impeachment campaign political theater while defending his efforts to overhaul the Pentagon and advance President Donald Trump’s military agenda.

HEGSETH FACES THREAT OF BIPARTISAN IMPEACHMENT AFTER IRAN WAR GETS BLAME FOR GOP MID-TERM SLAUGHTER

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, April 30. (Cliff Owen/AP Photo, file)

“We need every vote from every patriotic member of Congress,” Hegseth said, calling for a reconciliation bill of at least $350 billion to strengthen the military and defense industrial base.

The impeachment effort is led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who introduced eight articles against Hegseth in September, accusing him of violating Congress’s war powers during the Iran conflict and abusing his authority in other military operations.

Massie, who lost his Republican primary in May, plans to renew his efforts when Congress returns next week. The House did not vote on the articles.

Trump defended Hegseth on Thursday, telling ABC News that he intended to keep him in his Cabinet despite the impeachment drive.

GOP REP. THOMAS MASSIE PRESENTS 8 ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, file)

Hegseth dismissed the effort as politically motivated.

“A disgruntled and defeated Congressman, along with all of his Democratic allies, have also dropped false articles of impeachment against yours truly,” Hegseth said.

He also took aim at former President Joe Biden and former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, accusing them of leaving the Pentagon in disarray and forcing the Trump administration to rebuild the military.

“We ended the weird and woke and raised the patriots strong,” Hegseth said, defending his efforts to eliminate diversity initiatives and change military personnel policy.

HEGSETH LEADERSHIP QUESTIONED BY GOP MILITARY VETERAN AS DEMOCRATS TALK ABOUT IMPEACHMENT

Trump defended Hegseth on Thursday, telling ABC News that he intended to keep him in his Cabinet despite the impeachment drive. (Aaron Schwartz/AFP via Getty Images, file)

Hegseth also defended the administration’s military operations against Iran, describing the campaign as a historic effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The Secretary of War concluded his speech with a message to the troops amid the political struggle in Washington.

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“Don’t blink. Ignore the noise. Never hesitate,” Hegseth said.

“We will not back down. We put America and the fighters first, always and without apology.”