Hegseth Visits Naval War College in Newport

The Defense Secretary will deliver remarks to students and faculty at the Rhode Island institution on Monday, his first public appearance since the midterm elections.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Military

Hegseth Visits Naval War College in Newport

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will visit the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, on Monday to deliver remarks to students and faculty. The speech, whose topic has not been disclosed, will be livestreamed on the Department of Defense's website.

Why it matters

The visit comes after Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, and as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) announced plans to re-introduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth related to the war against Iran. It marks Hegseth's second trip to Rhode Island this year.

The Rhode Island trip is Hegseth's first public appearance since the 2026 midterm elections, and it is his second visit to the state this year. The subject of his remarks has not been announced.

The players

Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth is the United States Secretary of Defense overseeing the Department of Defense and its military operations.

Thomas Massie

Thomas Massie is a Republican congressman from Kentucky who has announced plans to re-introduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth over the war against Iran.

Naval War College

The Naval War College is the U.S. Navy's senior professional military education institution located in Newport, Rhode Island.

The details

Hegseth will address students and faculty at the Naval War College, and the speech will be livestreamed on the Department of Defense's website. The February Electric Boat visit in Quonset drew a crowd of protesters, and Massie's planned impeachment articles relate to the war against Iran.

February 2026: Hegseth toured the Electric Boat facility in Quonset, Rhode Island.
2026 midterm elections: Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress.
Monday: Hegseth visits the Naval War College in Newport and delivers remarks.

Roadmap

Hegseth's visit comes as congressional opposition to his leadership intensifies with Democrats now controlling both chambers. The impeachment effort tied to the Iran war places his Pentagon tenure within a pattern of wartime oversight disputes over defense leadership.

The speech will be livestreamed on the Department of Defense's website, allowing viewers across the country to watch Hegseth's remarks. Those who want to follow the address can access it directly through the department's online channels.

The takeaway

Hegseth's remarks at the Naval War College will be publicly accessible through a livestream, offering a direct view of the defense secretary's message. Readers following the Iran war and congressional oversight should watch for how the impeachment push develops in the new Congress.