Arabic version: هيغسيث يواجه تدقيقاً جمهورياً بعد خسائر انتخابات التجديد النصفي

According to The Guardian, Pete Hegseth is increasingly being seen as a possible target of blame for Republican midterm losses, despite repeated backing from Donald Trump. The war in Iran has been cited by voters and Trump as a key reason for the losses, and critics have focused on the defense secretary’s role in the conflict.

A former senior Pentagon official told CNN that the Iran war had been primarily led by the Department of War because military action was chosen to address a foreign-policy matter. A Republican close to the White House told CNN that, if responsibility is assigned, it should fall on Hegseth, criticizing his statements about timelines, goals and objectives.

JD Vance publicly questioned on Wednesday whether the Iran war was worthwhile and said it had cost Republicans control of Congress. Thomas Massie, the Republican congressman from Kentucky, has filed eight impeachment accusations against Hegseth and plans to force a House vote on impeachment.

Trump has said he is not considering replacing Hegseth, telling reporters on Wednesday that he believed the secretary was doing a very good job. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the department was unified behind Hegseth’s vision. But Republican senator Thom Tillis said Hegseth had a “reckoning” coming, while Democrats have promised oversight of his handling of the Pentagon, the Iran war and other military policies.