Photo: U.S. Department of Defense / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
WASHINGTON – Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a resolution Monday afternoon to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a move that forces the House to take up the question. No vote has been held. Because the resolution is privileged, the House must consider it within two legislative days, which puts action on Wednesday at the latest.
The resolution has eight articles. They cover the war in Iran, strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, U.S. strikes in Yemen, and the capture of Venezuela’s former president, Nicolas Maduro. One article accuses Hegseth of retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., over a video urging troops to resist unlawful orders. Massie must first read the resolution on the House floor.
Before a vote on the merits, House leaders can move to table the resolution or refer it to a committee, and either step would effectively end it. Some Republican lawmakers have said privately that the resolution could pass, citing resentment of Hegseth and absences of members who lost their races. That is their assessment, not a count of votes. Hegseth has called the effort a political one, and he is set to hold a Pentagon news conference Tuesday at 8 a.m. ET. We covered his remarks to reporters here and the announcement of that news conference here.
Why it matters: a House impeachment of a sitting Cabinet secretary is rare, and the vote would test how many Republicans break with Trump after the midterm losses. Even if the House impeaches, removal needs a two-thirds vote in the Senate. Still unknown: whether leaders will try to table or refer the resolution, how many Republicans will vote against Hegseth, and what he will say Tuesday.
File photo: official portrait of Hegseth. It is not from Monday’s House action.
JBizNews Desk | Washington, D.C.
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