Pressure mounts on U.S. defense chief after Republican election rout

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting on Oct. 28 in Cebu, the Philippines. Democrats are planning to target Hegseth in Congress while Republicans are blaming the Iran war he championed for their recent election losses. | POOL / VIA REUTERS

Nov 6, 2026

WASHINGTON – U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under growing pressure, with victorious Democrats planning to target him in Congress and Republicans blaming the Iran war he championed for their election losses.

Hegseth, a former Fox News co-host and national guard officer, has survived repeated scandals since taking office in early 2025, but his time may be running out.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stood by Hegseth so far, insisting he’s doing “a very good job” when asked whether he would replace the Pentagon chief.

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