$BROCCOLI $JCT $POP After the ruling Republican Party suffered a crushing defeat in the U.S. midterm elections, Republicans have begun preparing to “settle accounts” with the “culprits” behind this political “Waterloo.” According to reports from several U.S. media outlets, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is about to become the first “fall guy.” He is accused of pushing the U.S. military blindly into the war in Iran and getting it bogged down there, triggering a major shock in international crude oil markets and sharply raising the cost of living for Americans.
CNN reported that several Republican members of Congress who “survived” the midterm elections are pushing to impeach Hegseth. They believe he underestimated the complexity of the war and kept advocating for it when the United States was not fully prepared, making him the “chief culprit” behind the reckless use of force against Iran. Republican congressman Thomas Massie, who has consistently opposed going to war with Iran, said he would push for a vote on impeaching Hegseth next week. Several Republican sources said the vote is likely to pass in Congress. CNN also reported that Hegseth has few allies in Congress, leaving Republican politicians with little “personal loyalty” to consider when holding him accountable.
In contrast to the clear dissatisfaction within his party, Trump’s attitude is also becoming more nuanced. CNN reported that White House officials said Trump still approved of Hegseth before the midterms, calling him “one of my best guys”; after the election results became clear, Trump also publicly said he would not fire him. But NBC reported that sources familiar with the matter said Trump had told some allies after the electoral defeat that he was considering whether to replace Hegseth. A former senior Defense Department official told CNN that if the White House wanted someone to blame for the disastrous war, Hegseth was the most obvious target, adding that he had misjudged and lied about the war’s timeline and objectives.
NBC reported that, according to four sources familiar with the matter, some of Hegseth’s travel has been put on hold, though it is not yet clear whether this is because the United States plans to continue striking Iran or because his position is genuinely at risk. CNN said the White House might also keep him on, since the Democrats have won both chambers of Congress, and if the White House insists on continuing military action against Iran, it will still need Hegseth to carry it out.#美国10月非农出炉：降息还有戏吗？ #美国中期选举：市场有哪些期待？
CNN reported that several Republican members of Congress who “survived” the midterm elections are pushing to impeach Hegseth. They believe he underestimated the complexity of the war and kept advocating for it when the United States was not fully prepared, making him the “chief culprit” behind the reckless use of force against Iran. Republican congressman Thomas Massie, who has consistently opposed going to war with Iran, said he would push for a vote on impeaching Hegseth next week. Several Republican sources said the vote is likely to pass in Congress. CNN also reported that Hegseth has few allies in Congress, leaving Republican politicians with little “personal loyalty” to consider when holding him accountable.
In contrast to the clear dissatisfaction within his party, Trump’s attitude is also becoming more nuanced. CNN reported that White House officials said Trump still approved of Hegseth before the midterms, calling him “one of my best guys”; after the election results became clear, Trump also publicly said he would not fire him. But NBC reported that sources familiar with the matter said Trump had told some allies after the electoral defeat that he was considering whether to replace Hegseth. A former senior Defense Department official told CNN that if the White House wanted someone to blame for the disastrous war, Hegseth was the most obvious target, adding that he had misjudged and lied about the war’s timeline and objectives.
NBC reported that, according to four sources familiar with the matter, some of Hegseth’s travel has been put on hold, though it is not yet clear whether this is because the United States plans to continue striking Iran or because his position is genuinely at risk. CNN said the White House might also keep him on, since the Democrats have won both chambers of Congress, and if the White House insists on continuing military action against Iran, it will still need Hegseth to carry it out.#美国10月非农出炉：降息还有戏吗？ #美国中期选举：市场有哪些期待？
