US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a video message on Thursday (November 5) vowing to fight efforts in Congress to impeach him and defending the Iran war as “courageous and historic” after voters punished Republicans over it in this week’s midterm elections.

Hegseth's remarks, posted on social media, came as taunts from his foes in Congress intensified and President Donald Trump swatted away questions about whether he might fire Hegseth. Trump has commended his Pentagon chief.

"You see, they attack me - they attack us - because we are effective. It's not going to work. We will not back down," Hegseth said to the camera.

Calling the impeachment effort a "sham," Hegseth said that Trump himself was impeached twice.

"It's all about the politics of personal destruction. It didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work with me. You can rest assured of that," he said.

Hegseth also appealed to "patriotic" lawmakers to pass a funding request that aims to help the Pentagon pay for the Iran war and other spending priorities.

The Defense Department has said Hegseth is "100 percent committed" to leading the Pentagon until the end of Trump's term.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (RELEASED NOVEMBER 5, 2026) (SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH VIA X - Must on-screen courtesy Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth via X)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) US DEFENSE SECRETARY, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"Regardless of how people feel about the war, which I believe is a courageous and historic effort that will ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, we need to continue, as President Trump did in his first term, to rebuild our military. That requires funding, and the Department of War must be funded to meet the moment right now. That includes a generational investment, a reconciliation bill of at least $350 billion to keep this department, our country, way ahead in a dangerous world. We need every vote from every patriotic member of Congress."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) US DEFENSE SECRETARY, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"You see, they attack me, they attack us, because we are effective. It's not going to work. We will not back down. We put America and the warfighter first, always and without apology. And that fight continues in the lame duck Congress."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) US DEFENSE SECRETARY, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"Peace through strength is once again American military policy. Our commander in chief demands it, and so we deliver it. This is not about me, but of course, the other side, in case you've noticed, they're obsessed. A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice. You see, their policies don't work so their obsession with political theater disguised as power drives them to try to destroy their opponent. It's all about the politics of personal destruction. Didn't work against President Trump and it won't work with me. You can rest assured of that."