Trump warns Democrats against impeaching Hegseth and calls him a great warrior
Donald TrumpPresident of the United States, answering a Washington Examiner question
Asked by the Washington Examiner about Democratic plans to impeach Hegseth if they win the House, Trump calls the idea terrible, says Republicans could play the same game, and praises Hegseth as the best at his job in many years.
“I think it’s terrible ... All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody. ... I mean, honestly, if we wanted to play that game, we could play it just as well ... But they’re talking about Pete Hegseth. He’s doing a great job. He’s a great warrior. I think he’s the best at his job in many, many years, and a lot of people agree with him.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Should Pete Hegseth be impeached?
Members of the House have advanced multiple impeachment proposals involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Rep. Shri Thanedar introduced H.Res. 935 in December 2025, Rep. Yassamin Ansari introduced H.Res. 1177 in April 2026, and Rep. Thomas Massie announced in September that he would offer a privileged resolution. The proposals allege distinct conduct involving military operations, oversight, and the handling of sensitive information; the proposals themselves do not establish those allegations. Hegseth disputed the characterization that anyone was “texting war plans,” while Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson called the April effort a charade and, after Massie read his articles on September 15, defended Hegseth’s record without addressing the specific allegations. The dispute is whether the House should impeach Hegseth on the basis of the congressional proposals and available evidence.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Washington Examiner report on President Trump's answer to the outlet's question about Democratic plans to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, given on the morning of October 29 before Trump left for a rally in South Carolina. The report also describes Rep. Thomas Massie's plan to force an impeachment vote after the election.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Rep. Thomas Massie has said he will force a House vote on impeaching Hegseth after the election, and Democrats have discussed impeachment if they win the House. The Washington Examiner asked Trump about it on the morning of October 29, before he left for a rally in South Carolina.
After the quotation
The Washington Examiner reports that it was unclear what Trump meant by playing the same game, noting that he has threatened to veto legislation from a Democratic Congress.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
On whether Hegseth should be impeached, Trump opposes the Democratic effort and defends Hegseth's performance, calling him a great warrior who is doing a great job.
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More from this case
Read the full caseMax Boot calls Hegseth the most damaging Trump appointee in a column urging his impeachment or firing
“It’s been a close race, but I’ve seen enough. I’m calling it: Pete Hegseth is the most damaging Trump appointee.”Read statement
Adam Smith says some Republicans would back impeaching Hegseth but not Trump
“There are Republicans who would support impeaching Hegseth who might not support doing it to Trump”Read statement
Massie says he will force the vote soon after the House returns
“I’m not sure if I would do it the night we get back, but it would be soon after we return — if he’s still in the job”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Trump warns Democrats against impeaching Hegseth and calls him a great warrior". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/8070-asked-by-the-washington-examiner-about-democratic-plans