Pete Hegseth fights for his job by reminding everybody that Donald Trump gave the orders

Testosterone-obsessed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has spent months declaring which Americans deserve to serve, returned to the Pentagon briefing room Tuesday morning to defend his own position.In his first Pentagon news conference since May, Hegseth delivered a performance in which he attacked the Republican pursuing his impeachment, praised President Donald Trump and portrayed scrutiny of his decisions as a threat to the troops. Behind the defiance, he acknowledged an effort to shore up support on Capitol Hill.“We’ve been in touch with a lot of members,” he said. “There’s a ton of support.”The appearance followed Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s introduction Monday of eight impeachment articles alleging unauthorized warfare, unlawful killings, and other abuses.The House began considering Massie’s resolution late Tuesday afternoon, with a procedural vote expected in the evening. Republican leaders were seeking to block the effort; if it survives, a final impeachment vote could follow Wednesday.Hegseth answered allegations about the legality of military operations largely by asserting their success.“These are not high crimes,” he said. “This is the job, and it’s the job well done.”Hegseth blames Trump for all ordersHegseth also placed Trump at the beginning of the chain of responsibility. Addressing operations involving Iran, the cartels, Venezuela and Yemen, he described them as “ordered by the commander in chief, then ordered by myself.”Invoking Trump’s approval has endangered his Cabinet officials. In March, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Congress that Trump had approved a $220 million advertising campaign prominently featuring her. Trump denied knowing about it and announced her replacement shortly afterward. AP reported that the advertising controversy and other leadership failures contributed to her firing. Hegseth repeatedly tied his political survival to the welfare of those under his command. “Put the