Following a decisive victory in the midterm elections, the Democratic Party is moving forward with plans to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A vote on the impeachment resolution is expected in the House this week, as President Donald Trump maintains his support for Hegseth, signaling an impending clash between the two sides.
On November 8, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed strong support for Hegseth's impeachment during an interview on ABC's "This Week." Jeffries criticized Hegseth, stating, "He has abused his power, undermined national security, and led a reckless and costly war in Iran, which has caused prices to soar for the American people and made the country more dangerous." He emphasized that Hegseth should resign.
Regarding support for the impeachment resolution among Democratic lawmakers, Jeffries noted, "We will discuss this on Tuesday morning. I believe there will be very strong support." The impeachment effort is being led by Representative Thomas Massie, a prominent anti-Trump figure within the Republican Party. Massie submitted the impeachment resolution in September, but the Republican leadership canceled the scheduled vote, postponing it until after the midterm elections.
On November 4, shortly after the midterms, Massie stated on X (formerly Twitter), "The only reason I would not resubmit the impeachment resolution is if Hegseth resigns." He warned that if Democrats gain control of Congress, "there will be hearings and trials," indicating that pressure on Hegseth will intensify.
The House will reconvene on November 9, and the impeachment resolution is expected to be resubmitted for a vote early this week. The outcome in the House will depend on the number of Republican defections. Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority, but criticism of Hegseth is emerging within the party due to the prolonged war in Iran and rising inflation.
Impeachment Likely to Face Challenges
Even if the impeachment resolution passes in the House, the likelihood of actual removal is low. The Senate, which would conduct the impeachment trial, requires a two-thirds majority vote, and Republicans still hold a majority there.
The Wall Street Journal reported that if the House approves the impeachment resolution, Hegseth would become the first civilian defense secretary impeached since William Belknap in 1876.
Hegseth has dismissed calls for his resignation and is determined to serve out his term. According to the Wall Street Journal, on November 7, Hegseth informed close associates of his intention to complete his term in the Trump administration. His special advisor, Tim Palatore, stated, "He is not going anywhere" and intends to serve his full four-year term. Hegseth also expressed in a video released on November 5 that his resolve to finish what he started is stronger than ever, labeling the impeachment efforts as a political attack.
President Trump has publicly denied any possibility of replacing Hegseth. Last week, he praised Hegseth, stating he is "doing very well." In a CBS interview released that day, when asked if he trusts Hegseth, Trump replied, "Yes," adding, "We have won two wars."
Criticism of Hegseth is also surfacing within the Republican Party. According to the Wall Street Journal, Senator Thom Tillis stated he would support impeachment, arguing that Hegseth has seriously undermined the trust of Congress. He also expressed regret for voting in favor of Hegseth's confirmation.
Democrats plan to continue pressuring Hegseth and the Trump administration after the new Congress convenes in January. With a majority in both the House and Senate, Democrats intend to expand investigations and hearings into the administration's policies, including the war in Iran and the operations of the Department of Defense.
In response, the Trump administration has signaled a tough stance. Attorney General Todd Blanch criticized Democrats on CNN on November 8 for threatening administration officials with investigations and impeachment before they even secure a majority in Congress. He did not rule out the possibility of investigating Democratic lawmakers.
Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, who serves on the House Oversight and Reform Committee, stated, "We will not be intimidated by threats," reaffirming their commitment to investigate figures such as White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
As the impeachment push against Hegseth begins, tensions between the Trump administration and Democrats are expected to escalate, particularly regarding the war in Iran and accountability issues within the administration.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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