- Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the first day of sessions after the midterms, focusing on the war in Iran and also referencing military actions in Yemen and Venezuela.
- Massie accused Hegseth of 'high crimes and misdemeanors' and argued his leadership at the Pentagon warrants impeachment, while a House vote could come by mid-week and the next steps are uncertain.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the impeachment effort, warning against impeaching the Defense secretary during ongoing military actions in the Middle East, calling it a 'terrible, terrible look' and a 'cheap trick.'
- Most House Democrats are expected to support impeachment, with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries saying it’s time for Hegseth to go, and if the House votes to impeach, the Senate would hold a trial.
- Hegseth defended the military actions, saying if critics take issue with operations like 'Epic Fury' or 'Rough Rider' or the capture of Nicolás Maduro, they are 'taking issue with the troops.' He also announced his first news conference in over 180 days.
- Hegseth dismissed the impeachment push as politically motivated, saying 'their disagreements are with success,' and he is 'happy to litigate' the military actions, while also agreeing with Trump’s stance that the war was necessary to confront Iran’s nuclear program.
- Trump defended Hegseth, saying 'He’s guilty of two things, basically winning two wars,' and that 'I believe we saved the Middle East and Israel combined.'
- According to The AP Voter Poll, about 6 in 10 voters said the U.S. made the 'wrong decision' in taking military action against Iran, and Hegseth dismissed the impeachment push as 'all about the politics of personal destruction.'
Rep. Thomas Massie has initiated impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing his involvement in military actions in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela. Massie claims Hegseth's actions constitute high crimes and misdemeanors, warranting impeachment.123
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concerns about the timing, stating, “Impeaching a Cabinet secretary right now... would be a terrible, terrible look”. Despite this, most House Democrats support the impeachment, with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries asserting it’s time for Hegseth to go.
If the House votes to impeach, the matter will proceed to the Senate for a potential trial. Hegseth defended his actions, stating, “If you want to take issue with what we did... you’re taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished”. He emphasized the necessity of confronting the Iranian regime, arguing that “someone had to confront the Iranian regime’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon”.
However, a recent AP Voter Poll indicated that about 6 in 10 voters believe the U.S. made the “wrong decision” in military actions against Iran. Hegseth remains defiant, stating, “It will be all about the politics of personal destruction” and insists that “that won’t work with me”.
“Massie's resolution accuses Hegseth of 'high crimes and misdemeanors,' with a vote potentially by mid-week. Speaker Mike Johnson calls it a 'cheap trick,' while Hegseth plans his first news conference in over 180 days for Tuesday.”
Global News
