Impeaching Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary
This week, I’m focusing on three Democratic impeachment resolutions aimed at Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., and John Roberts.
What the legislation does
In December 2025, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI13) introduced two articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth:
“Murder and conspiracy to murder.” The Washington Post reported that after a military strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, Hegseth ordered his subordinates to “kill them all” – even those who live visual feeds indicated were still alive after the original strikes.
“Reckless and unlawful mishandling of classified information,” after The Atlantic reporter Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to a military planning discussion on the encrypted messaging app Signal.
In April 2026, Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ3) introduced six articles of impeachment against Hegseth:
“Unauthorized war against Iran and reckless endangerment of U.S. servicemembers.” Congress never officially authorized the war in Iran, as they’re ostensibly supposed to – although Congress hasn’t officially authorized any of military conflicts since the 1940s.
“Violations of the law of armed conflict and targeting of civilians.” (This is essentially the same as one of the counts in the prior impeachment.)
“Negligence and reckless handling of sensitive military information.” (This is also essentially the same as one of the counts in the prior impeachment.)
“Obstruction of congressional oversight.”
“Abuse of power and politicization of the Armed Forces.”
“Conduct bringing disrepute upon the United States and its Armed Forces.”
Context
Hegseth, formerly an Army National Guard member who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, later became a right-wing Fox News commentator and author. After President Donald Trump nominated him as Defense Secretary, the Senate tied 50-50 on his confirmation vote. Vice President J.D. Vance broke the tie in favor.
No Democrats voted for Hegseth, but three Republicans voted against: Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
Supporters cite Hegseth’s role in effectively taking out the dictatorial leadership of Venezuela and Iran. They also note that U.S. military recruitment has increased under his watch, after reaching modern lows under the Biden administration.
Opponents cite no shortage of controversies, including banning transgender service members, renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War, removing many religions including Mormonism from the department’s list of officially-recognized faiths, and officially absolving U.S. soldiers at 1890’s Wounded Knee massacre of Native Americans – an event which many consider an illegal war crime.
What supporters say
Impeachment supporters argue that Hegseth’s words and actions are unbecoming of his office.
“Hegseth broke his oath to the Constitution, put U.S. troops at grave risk through the unauthorized disclosure of classified information, engaged in abuse of office and conduct beneath the dignity of his office, and carried out unlawful military actions despite his obligation to refuse — including strikes on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran,” Rep. Ansari said in a press release.
“Hegseth’s conduct meets the threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors and warrants immediate removal by Congress,” Rep. Ansari continued. “As the daughter of Iranian immigrants and as someone who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, I know this absolutely cannot continue.”
What opponents say
Impeachment opponents counter that Hegseth is providing necessary reforms to the military, defense, and national security.
Hegseth is doing a “great job” and restoring the military’s “warrior ethos,” Vance said in an April statement.
“I will lead the breach. I will lay down cover fire. I will take the high ground. I’ll expose myself to enemy fire to communicate. We must bring back integrity, focus, and put the Warfighter first inside DOD,” then-Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), now the Secretary of Homeland Security, wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I stand with [Hegseth].”
Has this ever happened before?
The House has impeached two Cabinet secretaries in American history.
First was Hegseth’s predecessor circa 1876, Secretary of War William W. Belknap, on charges of bribery. The House voted unanimously to impeach. While the Senate majority-voted to convict and remove him from office on all five counts, all five votes fell short of the two-thirds margin required. Since Belknap had already resigned, some senators voted against conviction as protest against the vote’s symbolic nature.
Second was Alejandro Mayorkas, President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security, in 2024. While the Republican-led House voted to impeach him for failing to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, Democratic-led Senate leadership dismissed the charges entirely – no Senate vote was held at all.
What happens next
Rep. Thanedar’s December 2025 impeachment push has attracted one cosponsor, a fellow Democrat: Rep. Al Green (D-TX9).
Rep. Ansari’s April 2026 impeachment push has attracted a larger 16 cosponsors, all Democrats.
Both resolutions have been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Odds of passage are low in the Republican-controlled chamber.
Impeachment requires a House majority vote, followed by a two-thirds Senate vote for actual removal from office.