House Moves to Impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote as early as next week on a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The effort, led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, includes eight articles of impeachment alleging that Hegseth violated the War Powers Resolution of 1973 by conducting a reckless and costly war in Iran without congressional authorization. Other allegations include the unlawful seizure of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and illegal airstrikes in Yemen.

Incoming House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries has declared he is a hard yes on the resolution, accusing Hegseth of abusing power and undermining national security. The push follows a Democratic landslide in the November 3 midterm elections, which flipped both the House and Senate. Vice President JD Vance and other Republicans acknowledged that the unpopularity of the Iran conflict contributed to these losses. While some Republicans like French Hill have expressed dissatisfaction with Hegseth's leadership, they remain divided on whether his actions meet the constitutional standard for impeachment.

President Donald Trump has defended Hegseth, calling the proceedings extortion at the highest level and claiming the military destroyed Iran's nuclear capability. Attorney General Todd Blanche pledged that the Justice Department would defend administration officials against these probes. Despite public support, reports indicate internal White House pressure for Hegseth to resign. Even if the House impeaches, removal from office would require a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate, a threshold currently considered unlikely.