Scoop: House Democrat eyes articles of impeachment against Hegseth
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attends the turkey pardon ceremony at the White House on Nov. 25. Photo: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) told Axios he is considering introducing articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over reports he authorized a second strike on a purported drug boat in the Caribbean.
Why it matters: Thanedar could once again find himself in conflict with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who dismissed the prospect of impeachment during a press conference on Monday.
- The Michigan congressman has repeatedly roused the anger of his Democratic colleagues this year by pushing rogue impeachment efforts against President Trump.
- He briefly forced a Trump impeachment vote in May — as any individual House member can do with or without support from their leadership — but pulled it under intense pressure from party leaders.
Driving the news: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied Monday that Hegseth gave specific orders to follow-up a strike on survivors from an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in September.
- Instead, she said, Hegseth "authorized Admiral [Frank] Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes" and Bradley "worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed."
- The comments came after the Washington Post reported last week that Hegseth, in the words of one anonymous source, gave a directive to "kill everybody."
What they're saying: Asked by Axios if he plans to introduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth, Thanedar said in a text that he is "looking into it."
- Shortly afterwards, Thanedar posted on X that Hegseth is "utterly incompetent, totally reckless, and a serious threat to US national security. He must be impeached!!"
- The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thanedar's comments.
Yes, but: Jeffries noted at his Monday press conference that Republicans, who control the lower chamber, "will never allow articles of impeachment to be brought to the floor."
- "We know that … because Donald Trump will order them not to do it," he added, harshly criticizing Hegseth and saying the White House is "lying" about his role in the operation.
- Instead, Jeffries pointed to bipartisan promises from both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees as "what's on the table."
Flashback: When Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) forced a rogue impeachment vote against Trump in June, it failed in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote.
- Of the 207 Democrats who were present, 128 backed a Republican motion to quash Green's articles of impeachment, while just 79 voted against it.
- Both Green and Thanedar are seen as relative anomalies among House Democrats, who largely view impeachment as both a fruitless effort and a political loser with voters beyond the party's grassroots base.
