US Congress to initiate impeachment of Pentagon chief next week – CNN
Republican congressman Thomas Massie has said he will initiate a vote to impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as soon as Congress returns to work next week.
Source: CNN, citing Massie and sources among Republicans, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Massie, a representative from Kentucky who is known for his criticism of Donald Trump, said that he plans to launch the procedure for removing the Pentagon chief immediately after lawmakers return to Washington. Several sources in the Republican Party said they expect the lower house to approve the initiative.
CNN noted that the Republicans' historic losses in the midterm congressional elections on 3 November are accelerating attempts to shift responsibility for the Iran war onto Hegseth.
Many lawmakers blame Hegseth for the election results, arguing behind the scenes that he played a key role in convincing the US president to attack Iran without an exit strategy or a plan for managing the consequences.
Several Republicans claimed to CNN that the Pentagon chief, an active advocate of the war, overestimated the US's ability to win the conflict quickly and easily. They accused him of continuing to advocate escalation despite the absence of any sign that prolonged bombardments have brought Iran closer to capitulation.
In a statement, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth "will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points or launch phony investigations where no wrongdoing exists".
Removing the secretary through impeachment also requires a vote in the Senate, where two-thirds of senators must vote in favour.
Background:
- On 4 November, Trump told reporters that he was not considering replacing Pete Hegseth.
- Trump made the statement after media reports claimed he had asked his advisers in person and by phone whether Hegseth should stay in his job following the Republicans' losses in the midterms.
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