Jeffries backs impeaching Hegseth as House takes up resolution the week of 9 November

A hard yes from the top Democrat

Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives and widely expected to become speaker when his party takes the chamber in January, said on Sunday, 8 November, that he supports impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Speaking on ABC's This Week, he backed the resolution that Republican Thomas Massie, who is retiring after losing his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, plans to introduce. Asked about the measure, Jeffries said:

“I'm a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution.”

The resolution contains eight articles of impeachment. One accuses Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 in connection with the American role in the war with Iran, which began in February. Massie was expected to introduce the measure as early as Monday, 9 November. Congress reconvenes in Washington on Tuesday, 10 November, its first session since the midterm elections on 3 November, when Democrats regained majorities in both chambers.

The charges against Hegseth

Jeffries accused the defense secretary of abusing his power, undermining national security and orchestrating a costly war of choice in Iran. He argued that the conflict has pushed up prices for Americans and made the country less safe. Democrats are also blaming Hegseth for the chaos and inflation they link to the war, which began in February.

“Pete Hegseth has got to go.”

Jeffries said House Democrats are not currently focused on impeaching President Donald Trump, although they plan to investigate members of his Cabinet after taking control of Congress. Exit polling cited by Efe found that corruption and the war against Iran were among voters' main concerns.

Republican pressure after the midterms

Axios reported that the Republican defeat in the midterms has fueled anger within the party and made more Republicans willing to back impeachment. Retiring Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska told Fox News that Hegseth does not have "a lot of love" on Capitol Hill, and he told Axios he was undecided on the vote. Republican leaders had avoided the measure before Election Day after Speaker Mike Johnson canceled votes and sent lawmakers home early. Johnson has denied that the decision was linked to the impeachment vote. Some Republicans blame the Iran war, with one lawmaker saying it should not have been launched before the midterms and another arguing that Hegseth's rhetoric has damaged efforts to explain the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Chief of staff change and Hegseth's response

On Friday, 6 November, Stephen Miller was named Trump's new chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. Trump has defended Hegseth and told reporters he intends to keep him in his post, according to Axios, which also reported that some officials are pushing for his ouster and that he is on "thin ice" with the administration. Hegseth has called the impeachment effort a sham led by a "disgruntled, defeated congressman" in a video posted on X. Massie responded by urging Trump to replace Hegseth while Republicans still control the Senate. If Hegseth is still in his post in January, the new Democratic majority will have the power to pursue investigations and impeachment proceedings.