House Democrats are set to introduce five articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, escalating criticism of his role in the Iran conflict while reviving a series of prior, unsuccessful efforts to remove the Pentagon chief.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) is leading the latest push, joined by eight Democratic co-sponsors, according to Axios.
Ansari, the first Iranian-American Democrat in Congress, had previously announced her intent to pursue impeachment, accusing Hegseth of being “complicit” in President Donald Trump’s “devastating, illegal war” in Iran.
The resolution outlines five articles, including allegations of abuse of power, war crimes, and mismanagement of the Defense Department.
The first article accuses Hegseth of violating his oath of office by overseeing what Democrats describe as an “unauthorized war against Iran” and recklessly endangering U.S. service members. Other articles allege the targeting of civilians in violation of the laws of armed conflict, mishandling of sensitive information, and obstruction of congressional oversight.
One section focuses on Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app on a personal device to discuss a pending strike on Houthi targets in Yemen—an incident that drew scrutiny after a journalist was inadvertently included in the conversation. A Defense Department inspector general report found the episode jeopardized troop safety and violated internal policy, though the Pentagon has said the findings amounted to a “total exoneration.”
The resolution also accuses Hegseth of withholding information from Congress about military operations in Iran, Venezuela, and other theaters, and of abusing his authority by targeting political opponents.
The effort is widely viewed as unlikely to advance in the Republican-controlled House, where similar impeachment attempts have failed to gain traction.
Ansari’s push is the latest in a series of Democratic efforts targeting Hegseth. In December, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) introduced separate articles of impeachment accusing the defense secretary of war crimes and mishandling classified information, though that effort did not move forward.
More broadly, attempts to impeach Cabinet officials are rare and historically difficult to sustain, with only a handful of cases ever reaching a vote—and none resulting in removal.
The Trump administration has forcefully rejected the latest accusations. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson dismissed the resolution as political theater.
“Secretary Hegseth will continue to protect the homeland and project peace through strength,” Wilson said. “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.”
Despite the long odds, the new impeachment effort underscores continued Democratic opposition to the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and signals that Hegseth remains a central target as tensions in the region—and in Washington—continue to escalate.
READ NEXT: Spain On Track To Grant Mass Amnesty To Migrants
Democrats are making a mockery of impeachment. The dems don’t like something, Impeach. What happened to passing legislation that helps the American people? Dems have one thing on their mind, and only one thing only. Take down the Trump administration in any fashion they can. TDS is a fatal disease that is infecting almost all democrats. I have never seen so much time and resources put into trying to take down one man.
Is this all democrats know how to do? Can’t do legislation! Let’s impeach! Can’t negotiate! Let’s impeach! You’re not like me? Let’s impeach!
Yassamin Yasari (D) leads the impeachment drive!
Well, there ya go! That explains it!