Rep. Shri Thanedar Moves to Impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

On Wednesday, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) announced plans to introduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This decision comes in light of resurfaced comments from 2016 about war crimes, alongside rising concerns regarding a recent U.S. military operation that reportedly targeted survivors of an alleged drug smuggling ship in the Caribbean.

In a statement posted on social media, Thanedar referenced remarks made by Hegseth in 2016, where he stated, “I believe there must be consequences for these horrific war crimes.” He noted, “I agree. That’s why I’m introducing articles of impeachment against Secretary Hegseth.”

The comments were first highlighted by CNN, where Hegseth spoke during an event held by Silicon Valley’s Liberty Forum. He asserted that there are consequences for illegal and ruthless acts, emphasizing the military’s responsibility to reject unlawful orders and describing the ethical standards that guide U.S. armed forces.

Thanedar’s impeachment push revolves around a military operation on September 2 that targeted an alleged Venezuelan drug smuggling ship. Reports indicate that while the ship was initially struck, subsequent attacks led to the deaths of additional survivors. The White House stated that Hegseth had given the go-ahead for the operation and that Admiral Frank Bradley commanded the follow-up strikes. Hegseth claimed to have observed the first attack in real-time but moved on to another meeting immediately afterward.

Thanedar’s articles of impeachment are expected to formally charge Hegseth with “murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and reckless and unlawful manipulation of classified information.” This announcement is set to occur during a rally at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, a Democratic Party official noted that while some outside groups might back this impeachment effort, support from party leaders has been minimal. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) expressed skepticism about the possibility of moving forward with impeachment in the Republican-controlled House, stating that “Republicans will never allow articles of impeachment to come to the floor… President Donald Trump will order it not to happen.” Jeffries added that Hegseth was undeniably involved in the operation and that the evidence seems indisputable.

He reiterated his belief that Hegseth should resign but made it clear that a significant bipartisan investigation remains a possibility.

A growing chorus of Democrats is condemning the military strikes from September. Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA), a former JAG officer, labeled the killing of shipwreck survivors as a war crime. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) argued that the initial attack could be classified as either a war crime or murder, while Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) called Hegseth a “walking, talking national security embarrassment,” urging for his resignation. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) deemed Hegseth “the most unqualified secretary of defense in our nation’s history,” criticizing his evasiveness during secret briefings about the strike.

Despite the backlash, Hegseth defended the government’s strategy. At a recent Cabinet meeting, he insisted that the U.S. is just beginning its offensive against drug ships, framing it as crucial for dismantling networks he claims are harming Americans. He stated all actions were legal and that commanders faced tough choices on the ground, adding, “We always have the support of our commanders.”

Thanedar’s impeachment announcement seems to face potential hurdles in rallying support among his Democratic colleagues. As one House Democratic leader expressed, “This is Shri…a person that people respect; when that happens, you have to do the real thing.” Thanedar has previously put forth several impeachment resolutions, including one against former President Donald Trump, without securing party leadership’s backing.

This recent move follows another impeachment initiative from Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), who filed against Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in September due to what she termed a “health care mess.” It’s worth noting that Hegseth wouldn’t be the first Defense Secretary to face impeachment; the House unanimously passed articles against Secretary William Belknap in 1876 over a bribery scheme.