Jeffries says he is a “hard yes” on impeaching Hegseth

Jeffries’ statement

NBC News reported that Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said on Sunday, “I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution. The so-called secretary of defense has abused his power, undermined our national security and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran.” He added, “Pete Hegseth has got to go.”

Asked whether the full Democratic caucus would back it, Jeffries said members would “have that conversation” Tuesday morning, but that he believed there will be “incredibly strong support,” The Guardian reported.

The resolution

The Guardian reported that Massie, a Kentucky Republican and outgoing congressman, plans to reintroduce a resolution as soon as Monday that includes eight articles of impeachment, including an alleged violation of the War Powers Resolution of 1973. NBC News reported that the resolution is expected to be filed early this week with a vote to follow, and that Massie filed an earlier resolution in September that Republican leaders did not bring to a vote. The Epoch Times noted that impeachment requires a simple House majority, while conviction in the Senate requires two-thirds.

Hegseth and Trump respond

Hegseth called Massie “a disgruntled, defeated congressman” and said, “It’s all about the politics of personal destruction,” NBC News reported. Trump said last week that Hegseth is “doing a very good job.” NBC News reported that Trump told allies he was considering replacing Hegseth, and that Trump has publicly denied he is planning to.

Why this matters

NBC News said Jeffries’ support signals how other House Democrats could vote. The Epoch Times reported that Democrats won control of Congress in Tuesday’s midterms, and The Guardian reported that both Trump and voters identified the Iran war as a major factor in the Republican losses.