House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said publicly Sunday that he was a “hard yes” on a forthcoming resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and that the Pentagon chief “has got to go.” Newsweek described his endorsement as support for a Republican-led effort. LBC described Jeffries as largely expected to be the next House speaker. [E1][E4][E6]
On ABC News’ This Week, Jeffries said Hegseth had abused power and undermined national security, and blamed him for a “reckless and costly war of choice in Iran” that he said had increased prices and made the country less safe. Those are Jeffries’s stated allegations in support of impeachment, rather than findings established by the reports. Newsweek and LBC attributed the comments to the ABC interview that Sunday. [E2][E5]
Thomas Massie, an outgoing Kentucky Republican, has said he will reintroduce a privileged impeachment resolution as early as Monday, according to Newsweek and LBC. Newsweek said Jeffries’s endorsement aligns top House Democratic leadership with Massie’s plan. LBC reported that Massie has accused Hegseth under eight articles, including an alleged violation of the War Powers Resolution of 1973. [E3][E7][E8]