Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a potential impeachment vote in the House of Representatives this week after Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against him, accusing him of waging war against Iran without congressional approval and committing other alleged abuses of power.
The move could make Hegseth the second US defence chief to face impeachment, following William Belknap, who was impeached by the House in 1876 while serving as secretary of war.
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Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced the impeachment articles on Monday, triggering a two-day window for a possible House vote. He urged lawmakers to hold a direct vote and a detailed debate on the charges, warning that Republican leadership could use procedural motions to avoid voting on the substance of the resolution.
“They may try to get out of an actual vote on the substance of this. We should have a vote and a rigorous debate on these eight articles,” Massie told reporters.
Congressional sources indicated that the resolution could secure enough votes to pass despite Republicans retaining control of the House until January 3, when Democrats are scheduled to take over. However, Hegseth’s conviction in the Senate appears unlikely, as it would require a two-thirds majority.
Trump strongly defended Hegseth in an interview with Reuters on Monday, citing the US military’s operations in Iran and Venezuela.
“Well, he won two wars. I don’t know how you can impeach him,” Trump said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also opposed the impeachment effort, arguing that pursuing such action during ongoing military hostilities would send the wrong message internationally.
“Impeachment in the middle of hostilities abroad” would be “a terrible thing for our allies and our enemies to see,” Johnson said.
HEGSETH VOWS TO FIGHT IMPEACHMENT
Hegseth has responded to the impeachment push with a defiant social media campaign, insisting that he would not step down. In a video message last week, he compared the effort against him to the two impeachment proceedings faced by Trump.
“It didn’t work against President Trump, and it won’t work with me,” Hegseth said.
Asked on Monday whether he had enough Republican support to defeat the impeachment effort, Hegseth said, “We’re not worried about that.”
He also announced a press conference for Tuesday, his first at the Pentagon since May.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as White House national security adviser, backed Hegseth, describing the impeachment effort as unfair.
“I think Pete’s done a good job. I really do,” Rubio told reporters.
The impeachment push comes amid growing Republican divisions over the Iran war, which has reached an impasse. Voter anger over the conflict also contributed to Democratic victories in last week’s midterm elections, paving the way for the party to take control of Congress in January.
Vice President JD Vance has publicly questioned the conflict, while Hegseth has defended it as “courageous and historic”.
MASSIE WARNS OF TOUGHER SCRUTINY UNDER DEMOCRATS
Massie, a vocal Trump critic who is leaving office in January, warned that Hegseth could face more serious scrutiny once Democrats take control of the House.
“They will hold hearings and trials. President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate,” Massie said.
Democrats have also promised investigations into Hegseth, including his decision to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior military leaders.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Sunday that he was a “hard yes” on a measure to impeach the defence secretary.
The eight articles accuse Hegseth of “high crimes and misdemeanors”, including launching the Iran war without congressional approval and alleged violations of the free speech rights of US Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona.
Last year, Hegseth sought to prosecute Kelly after he and five other Democratic lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds urged US troops to refuse illegal orders. Hegseth accused the lawmakers of sedition, prompting Trump to say in a social media post that the offence was “punishable by DEATH!”
BELKNAP PRECEDENT
Hegseth’s situation has drawn comparisons with William Belknap, who served as secretary of war in 1876.
Belknap, accused of accepting substantial kickbacks, resigned shortly before his scheduled impeachment vote. According to a Senate historical account, he “burst into tears” after handing his resignation to then-President Ulysses Grant.
The House proceeded with impeachment despite his resignation, but the Senate later acquitted him after failing to secure the required two-thirds majority.
Unlike Belknap, Hegseth has vowed to remain in office and fight the charges.
DEFENCE SPENDING CONCERNS
The impeachment battle could also complicate the Trump administration’s push for a $1.5 trillion defence spending package.
Some Republican lawmakers fear that Hegseth’s strained relationship with Congress could undermine efforts to secure support for the proposed spending.
Massie argued that replacing Hegseth before Democrats assume control would give Trump a better chance of securing Senate confirmation for a successor.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
