Hegseth demands $350 billion for the military and fires back at "sham" impeachment push: "We will not back down"

War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday urged Congress to pass a reconciliation bill with at least $350 billion in new defense funding and dismissed the effort to impeach him as political theater, in a video posted to X, Fox News reported.

"We need every vote from every patriotic member of Congress," Hegseth said. "A disgruntled, defeated congressman along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly." Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who lost his primary in May, introduced eight articles in September over the Iran campaign and other operations and plans to renew the push next week. The House has not voted on them.

Hegseth defended the Iran campaign as a historic effort to stop Tehran from getting nuclear weapons, and told troops: "Don't blink. Ignore the noise. Never hesitate. We will not back down." President Trump told ABC News on Thursday he intends to keep Hegseth in his Cabinet.