Trump warns Democrats against impeaching Pete Hegseth if they win the House

President Donald Trump cautioned congressional Democrats against impeaching War Secretary Pete Hegseth in the event they win back control of the House during next week’s midterm elections.“I think it’s terrible,” Trump said in response to a Washington Examiner question Thursday morning before leaving for a South Carolina rally. “All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody.”The president then threatened retaliation against Democrats, who are on the cusp of winning back the House, while also praising Hegseth. “I mean, honestly, if we wanted to play that game, we could play it just as well,” Trump said. “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.”It is unclear exactly what Trump meant, but he has previously threatened to veto every piece of legislation put forward during the second half of his administration if Democrats are in control.The Cook Political Report wrote in a midterm analysis that “Democrats now are favored outright in the 218 seats they need to win control of the House.” Cook rates 220 seats as either solid, likely, or lean Democrat, while it rates 198 seats as solid, likely, or lean Republican. Just 17 races are considered “toss-ups.”Democrats have teased their desire to impeach Hegseth’s handling of the Iran war, which began on Feb. 28 and has led to increased gas and diesel prices. They have also pointed to disapproval of Hegseth’s authorizing boat strikes in the Caribbean to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.WHO AND WHAT DEMOCRATS WILL GO AFTER IF THEY WINIn April, House Democrats filed six articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing him of “high crimes and misdemeanors” because of the war and drug boat strikes. The tactic was led by Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), the first Iranian American Democrat elected to Congress.Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who will be departing Congress in January after losing his primary, said he plans to force a vote on impeachment articles against Hegseth when the House returns following the midterm elections. Massie accuses Hegseth of illegal conduct in Iran and other military campaigns.