House Democrats will introduce five articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing him of abuse of power, war crimes related to the Iran war, and other offenses.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), the first Iranian-American Democrat in Congress, will introduce the articles of impeachment.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson stated that the initiative was “just another Democrat trying to make headlines as the Department of War decisively and overwhelmingly achieved the Presidents’ objectives in Iran.”
The measure has eight Democratic co-sponsors: Reps. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), David Min (D-Calif.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) and Sarah McBride (D-Del.).
The measure has essentially no chance of passing in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives.
The five articles of impeachment include:
Article 1: “Unauthorized war against Iran and reckless endangerment of United States service members”
This article focuses on the U.S. launching strikes against Iran without first seeking congressional approval. It also accuses Hegseth of signing off on “plans involving extreme and unnecessary risk to United States personnel and interests,” citing the administration’s consideration of ground operations in Iran.
Article 2: “Violations of the Law of Armed Conflict and targeting of civilians”
Hegseth “authorized, condoned, or failed to prevent” operations in Iran “resulting in large numbers of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Iran,” the articles state. It cites the U.S. bombing of a girls’ school in Minab, Iran, as well as reports of double tap strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats in the Caribbean. The articles also point to Hegseth saying the U.S. will have “no quarter, no mercy for our enemies,” claiming he “has engaged in conduct that raises serious concerns of violations of the Geneva Conventions and other binding legal obligations.”
Article 3: “Negligence and Reckless handling of sensitive military information”
This article focuses on Signalgate, a scandal last year in which Atlantic editor Jeff Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal chat where Hegseth and other top U.S. officials discussed strikes in Yemen. Hegseth “has demonstrated gross negligence in the handling of sensitive and classified military information” and “placed United States personnel at risk through this careless and improper conduct,” the articles state.
Article 4: “Obstruction of Congressional Oversight”
The articles accuse Hegseth of failing to “provide timely and complete information regarding military operations” to Congress. It also accuses him of “withholding material facts relating to civilian casualties and operational conduct in Iran, Venezuela, and other military theaters.”
Article 5: “Conduct bringing disrepute upon the United States and its armed forces”
The articles state that Hegseth has “acted in a manner contrary to the public trust” and “shaken public confidence in the integrity and ability” of the Pentagon. They cite several of the Trump administration’s socially conservative military policies, including criticism of NATO, rolling back of DEI and affirmative action programs, and restrictions against transgender service members.
Rep. Ansari stated last week: “This isn’t partisan. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents now know that Trump is dangerous and unfit.”
She added: “Whether through impeachment or by invoking the 25th Amendment, it is far past time Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth are removed from office.”
Rep. Thanedar previously filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth in December, accusing him of committing war crimes amid U.S. strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean.
An incident in September where a strike attacked a boat and then another strike killed survivors drew outrage from Democrats who said the strikes amounted to war crimes. The incident also raised questions from some Republicans.