Jeffries Targets Iran War and Demands Hegseth Resign

House Democrats are preparing to challenge President Donald Trump's policies following their midterm election victories, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries prioritizing an end to the Iran war and accountability for administration officials. Speaking to NPR's Morning Edition on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, Jeffries also demanded the removal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth while leaving the possibility of impeachment undecided.

Jeffries, who is expected to become the next House Speaker, said the conflict has increased energy and agricultural costs, contributing to higher prices for groceries and other everyday necessities. He argued that Democrats should begin pursuing changes before the new Congress takes office.

According to NPR, Jeffries identified ending the conflict as a central part of his party's affordability agenda. He described the military campaign as a "war of choice" and said Democrats could use congressional authority to challenge the president's continued involvement.

"We shouldn't have to wait till the new Congress until that happens," Jeffries said.

He explained that Democrats could advance war powers resolutions through Congress, placing pressure on Trump to reconsider the conflict. However, overriding a presidential veto would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers, a threshold Democrats currently lack.

Jeffries also emphasized his party's commitments to reducing housing, health care, grocery and gasoline costs while investigating alleged corruption within the administration. He defended Democrats' political record by saying they had "battled Trump on every issue up until this point and then just decisively defeated him a few days ago."

The NPR interview also addressed growing pressure on Hegseth, whose position has become increasingly uncertain following the Republican electoral defeat. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has threatened to introduce eight articles of impeachment against the defense secretary unless he resigns.

Jeffries declined to commit Democrats to supporting impeachment, saying the party would discuss the matter collectively when lawmakers reconvene.

"We'll have that conversation," Jeffries said.

Nevertheless, the Democratic leader made clear that he wants Hegseth removed from office. He criticized the secretary's qualifications and questioned the consequences of his leadership for the Pentagon and military readiness.

"He's the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in American history," Jeffries said.

He also reiterated his demand that Trump dismiss Hegseth, adding that the secretary "should never have been confirmed by Senate Republicans."

Meanwhile, Hegseth has mounted a public defense of his position. In a video published Thursday, he portrayed the impeachment effort as political retaliation and invoked Trump's experience with previous impeachment proceedings.

"It's all about the politics of personal destruction. Didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work with me," Hegseth said.

According to CNN, the video formed part of a broader effort to maintain support among Trump and Republican allies. Hegseth also used the slogan "We Stand, We Fight" and praised the president's response to the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.

"He literally took a bullet for this nation," Hegseth said.

He followed the remark with Trump's rallying cry, "fight, fight, fight," presenting himself as aligned with the president's political movement. His speech also attacked what he called "the weird and the woke" within the military.

Trump publicly defended his defense secretary, describing his performance at the Pentagon as a "fantastic job." He also said he was not considering firing Hegseth, citing his leadership during the Iran conflict and the US operation in Venezuela earlier in 2026.

CNN reported that Hegseth's position remains politically vulnerable as Republicans confront the consequences of the unpopular Iran war. Vice President JD Vance had also attributed the party's electoral losses to the conflict, warning that supporters of the war had jeopardized Republican control of the Senate for six years.

The political pressure comes as Trump faces difficult decisions over the next phase of the conflict. Escalating military operations could deepen public opposition, while withdrawing would represent a setback after the administration's stated objectives toward Tehran.

Massie is expected to pursue his impeachment effort when the Republican-led House returns next week. Meanwhile, the incoming Democratic majority is preparing investigations through the House Judiciary and Oversight committees into alleged misconduct by Trump administration officials.