Incoming House Democrat backs impeaching Pentagon chief Hegseth
Democrats set to take control of the House in January, while a Republican outgoing congressman plans a resolution against the defence secretary.
Key points
- Hakeem Jeffries says he is a hard yes on impeaching Pete Hegseth
- Thomas Massie plans a resolution with eight articles of impeachment
- The Pentagon says it followed the law and Hegseth will not be deterred
- Democrats hold a 254-seat House majority, above the 218 needed to impeach
- Removal would still need a two-thirds Senate majority, which Democrats lack
The man widely expected to become the next Speaker of the US House of Representatives has firmly backed impeaching Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to the BBC, Hakeem Jeffries gave his view on the ABC programme This Week on Sunday, saying Hegseth “has got to go”.
Jeffries accused Hegseth of misusing his authority and weakening national security. He also said Hegseth had helped drive the conflict with Iran, which Jeffries described as a costly undertaking that was a matter of choice.
Read also: White House denies Hegseth and Rubio are set to leave their posts
Thomas Massie, a Republican who is leaving Congress and who opposes President Donald Trump, has said he will bring forward a resolution seeking Hegseth’s impeachment, possibly as soon as Monday. The document would include eight articles. One of them accuses Hegseth of breaking the War Powers Resolution of 1973 in connection with America’s part in the Iran war.
The Pentagon’s reply
The Pentagon told the BBC that it had complied with the law. It added that Hegseth would not be put off by what it termed baseless probes.
Last week, Hegseth posted a video lasting almost six minutes. In it, he asked lawmakers to back the Pentagon’s newest military spending proposal before the chamber, which Republicans control, ends its final days. He referred to the impeachment push as “sham articles”. He argued that his critics were chasing political theatre dressed up as power, and that such efforts had failed against Trump and would fail against him.
Democrats’ position in Congress
Lawmakers return to work this week after Democrats scored a sweeping win in the midterm elections, and the party will take control of the chamber in January. Jeffries is seen as the front-runner for Speaker, the top job in the lower house.
Jeffries has pledged that Democrats, with their added power, will act as a counterweight to the Trump administration. After the midterms, though, he said House Democrats were not presently concentrating on impeaching the president. Trump faced two impeachments during his first term.
Numbers and limits
Not every race has been decided yet. Even so, the party holds 254 House seats, comfortably above the 218 votes required to approve impeachment articles.
The Senate sets a higher bar. Removing an official from office requires a two-thirds vote there, and Democrats are expected to fall well short of that level. A House impeachment therefore would not by itself remove Hegseth from his post.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Hakeem Jeffries want Pete Hegseth impeached?
Jeffries told ABCu0026#039;s This Week that Hegseth had misused his authority and weakened national security. He also said Hegseth had helped drive the conflict with Iran, which he described as a costly matter of choice.
What is the Massie resolution?
Thomas Massie plans to introduce a resolution with eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth. One article accuses him of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 over the war with Iran.
Can Hegseth be removed from office by the House alone?
No. The House has enough votes to pass articles of impeachment, but removal requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate, which Democrats are expected to fall short of.
Sources
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