US defence secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday slammed the move to impeach him as a "political spectacle" by an outgoing congressional opponent of President Donald Trump.

Hegseth made the comment at a news conference a day after US Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who lost his primary to a Trump-backed opponent, introduced eight articles of impeachment against him.

"What one disgruntled and defeated congressman is attempting is not oversight and it's not accountability. It's a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment," Hegseth told journalists.

The US defence secretary is gearing up for a fight, having launched a social media blitz and saying he is ready to defend his and US President Donald Trump's actions from “politically motivated people”.

Massie's resolution largely focuses on the war in Iran but also includes references to Hegseth’s role in military actions in Yemen against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Venezuela.

The outgoing congressman said Hegseth’s actions amount to “high crimes and misdemeanors” and his leadership at the Pentagon “warrants impeachment”. (Agencies)


Edited by Aaron Tam