Hegseth faces impeachment push, but removal needs more votes
WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth faces renewed impeachment pressure after Democrats won control of Congress, but removing the Pentagon chief would require substantial Republican support. A House majority can approve charges against him, while conviction in the Senate requires two-thirds of senators present, a much higher threshold than control of the chamber.
The campaign already has a Republican sponsor. Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment in September, accusing Hegseth of violating congressional war powers through the conflict with Iran. Massie has pledged to pursue a vote when lawmakers return after the elections.
His allegations include continuing hostilities without congressional authorisation, disregarding civilian-protection requirements and retaliating against Senator Mark Kelly over protected speech. These are accusations advanced in the impeachment resolution, rather than findings that Congress has adopted or a court has established.
The timing creates two separate political tests. Any vote before the new Congress takes office would be held under the existing Republican majorities. Democrats’ incoming control would give them greater scope to pursue investigations and impeachment proceedings, but it would not guarantee agreement on the charges or the strategy.
Impeachment itself would formally charge Hegseth without automatically removing him. The Senate would then consider the case, with 67 votes needed for conviction if all 100 senators were present. Democratic senators would therefore need Republican colleagues to support removal.
President Donald Trump has publicly defended Hegseth. Reported on Wednesday that Trump said the secretary was doing “a very good job”, while Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth remained committed to serving through the end of Trump’s term and characterised threatened Democratic investigations as politically motivated.
Pressure could nevertheless intensify through congressional oversight even if an impeachment effort fails. Representative Adam Smith, expected to chair the House Armed Services Committee next year, has promised scrutiny of the Iran war and what he describes as damage to the military’s political neutrality. The immediate test is whether Massie can secure a substantive House vote when lawmakers reconvene.
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