Black lawmakers are joining calls to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced eight articles of impeachment against him on Monday (November 9).
Massie’s resolution accuses Hegseth of abusing his authority and violating federal law, including waging war in Iran without congressional authorization, disregarding protections for civilians during military operations and conducting unauthorized strikes against suspected drug traffickers, according to USA Today. The articles also accuse Hegseth of retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) called Hegseth “unqualified and unfit to serve as Defense Secretary,” arguing that the war in Iran has cost the lives of service members and civilians while making everyday life more difficult for people at home.
“He must resign or be impeached,” Pressley wrote.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) also called for Hegseth's impeachment, accusing him of abusing his position, waging an illegal war in Iran and putting innocent civilians in danger.
“Accountability is due. It's time to impeach Hegseth,” Omar wrote.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) called for Hegseth to resign, according to C-SPAN. In a video discussing the impeachment articles, Meeks said that if Hegseth were “a real patriot” and listening to the American people, he would step down.
Other Black lawmakers and leaders have also weighed in on social media, calling for accountability from the defense secretary.
Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about Hegseth's leadership as well. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) acknowledged concerns about the defense secretary and the administration's strategy in Iran, while Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) criticized Hegseth for using taxpayer money to produce a video defending himself, USA Today reported. Neither though has publicly supported calls for his impeachment.
Vice President JD Vance defended Hegseth on Tuesday (November 10), arguing that his actions did not warrant impeachment. Vance disputed that the effort was primarily about the war in Iran, saying lawmakers were instead upset by Hegseth's attempts to reorganize Pentagon leadership.
He also criticized impeachment as a political spectacle that distracts from policymaking, NBC News reported.
Hegseth dismissed Massie's effort during a Pentagon news conference on Tuesday, calling it a “farce” and a “stunt,” The Guardian reported.
The House could vote on Massie's resolution as early as 5:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, according to the chamber's daily floor schedule, according to NBC News.
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