Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, a step he signaled earlier this month, saying in a video announcement on X that the articles were “for murder and conspiracy to murder and reckless and unlawful mishandling of classified information.” The move is unlikely to succeed under the current Republican majority.
Newsweek reached out to Thanedar’s press team and the Pentagon for comment via email on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Hegseth remains under scrutiny for his handling of recent strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean, aimed at alleged drug smuggling vessels, as well as the so-called “Signal Gate” in March. Hegseth had sent messages in a group chat, which included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, that included real-time information on American troops’ movements as they prepared to strike Houthi targets in Yemen.
Thanedar introduced articles of impeachment, including seven against Trump earlier this year. His initiative against Hegseth is not expected to move forward much, given Republicans hold a majority in both the House and Senate.
What To Know
On Tuesday, Thanedar announced he had introduced the articles of impeachment against Hegseth in a video posted to social media. Explaining his decision, he said Hegseth’s actions “are not just reprehensible but illegal as well.”
Thanedar wrote on X, “I love America and will do everything I can to protect our Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. That’s why, today, I introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.”
At issue are both military strikes and “Signal Gate.” On September 2, the U.S. military conducted a strike against an alleged narco-boat off the Venezuelan coast, followed by a second strike that killed survivors of the initial attack. The follow-up strike sparked accusations by some that the Pentagon may have violated the laws of war by killing people who no longer posed an imminent threat.
Lawmakers have been pressing Hegseth to release unedited footage and specific orders related to a series of strikes, including the second attack that killed survivors, on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, raising concerns over legality, accountability and possible war crimes.
The Trump administration has repeatedly defended the strikes.
Last week, the Pentagon’s watchdog concluded that Hegseth risked endangering American troops by sharing sensitive information on Signal earlier this year.
Thanedar’s move comes ahead of a separate impeachment push by another Michigan Democrat, Representative Haley Stevens, who introduced articles against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
What People Are Saying
Representative Haley Stevens said in an X post on Wednesday: “Today, I formally introduced articles of impeachment against Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. RFK Jr. has turned his back on science and the safety of the American people. Michiganders cannot take another day of his chaos.”
Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson told Axios earlier this month: “While Shri tries to win points with his base to fend off his political opponents, Secretary Hegseth will continue to protect the homeland. This is just another charade in an attempt to distract the American people from the major successes we have had here at the Department of War.”
Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries said during a December press conference regarding Thanedar’s plan: “Republicans will never allow articles of impeachment to be brought to the floor of the House of Representatives, and we know that’s the case…Donald Trump will order them not to do it.”
What Happens Next
Neither impeachment effort is expected to advance in the GOP-controlled Congress.