War Secretary Pete Hegseth is plainly in the middle of an aggressive public relations campaign designed to save his job. Judging by his latest appearances and online activity, the campaign is not going especially well.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky moved forward in September with plans to force a vote on impeaching Hegseth. At the time, the Pentagon chief appeared relatively unconcerned, acting as though the effort posed no serious threat and required little attention.

Two months later, Hegseth appears far more alarmed by the political battle. His posture has shifted from apparent indifference to a frantic effort to promote himself, attack his critics and persuade members of Congress that removing him would be a mistake.

Last week, as lawmakers prepared to return to Capitol Hill after the midterm elections, Hegseth began what amounted to a public relations blitz. Much of it appeared to center on publishing panicked messages through social media.

That effort quickly generated another problem. The Washington Post reported allegations that Hegseth misused government resources and taxpayer funds by producing a video that promoted himself while attacking Democrats and other political opponents, potentially violating federal ethics laws.

As this week began, Hegseth attempted to strengthen his public position by delivering unusual remarks at the Naval War College. He effectively urged military educators to embrace his ideological campaign, turning an appearance before educators into another front in his political crusade.

Tom Nichols of The Atlantic, who taught at the Naval War College for 25 years, responded that Hegseth appeared unfamiliar with the institution and angry about its curriculum.

“Two things were clear at the end of Hegseth’s speech: First, the secretary has no real idea what goes on in war colleges. Second, Hegseth is very angry that the war colleges are not incorporating his personal political vendettas into their curricula.”

On Tuesday morning, Hegseth expanded his campaign by doing something he generally tries to avoid. He held a rare press conference at the Pentagon, offering another attempt to present himself as the victim of an unfair political attack.

The atmosphere was combative even before Hegseth began speaking. A member of Pentagon security made veiled threats toward journalists, warning that reporters could be physically removed if they violated “decorum” or were otherwise judged to be unprofessional.

One official told journalists that the Pentagon Force Protection Agency would remove them from the briefing room if they got “out of line.” The warning established an unusually hostile tone before the War Secretary had fielded a single question.

During the 25 minute event, Hegseth took questions from people representing conservative media organizations. He complained about the free press, attacked Massie, played down the number of U.S. fatalities in the war with Iran and claimed to have deep support among members of Congress.

Hegseth also suggested that supporters of impeachment might eventually target ordinary U.S. troops, despite offering no basis for that claim. He then argued that holding him responsible for his failures, misdeeds and tragic misjudgments would give American adversaries “a propaganda victory.”

The display did impress President Donald Trump. Trump published two items on his social media platform celebrating Hegseth’s performance and awarding the War Secretary “an ‘A’ PLUS, PLUS, PLUS for his defense.”

Trump, however, was not the person Hegseth most needed to persuade. The central political question is whether the performance changed enough minds on Capitol Hill to protect him as Massie’s impeachment effort moves forward.

Massie formally filed his impeachment resolution on Monday afternoon, launching the process with eight articles. Procedural obstacles remain, including a possible Tuesday afternoon vote that could block the effort before it advances any further.

It remains unclear whether Hegseth’s supporters have enough votes to rescue him. After social media posts, an ideological speech, threats toward reporters and a press conference filled with complaints, the War Secretary still has not presented a compelling case for keeping his job.