Republican vows to push Hegseth impeachment after midterm elections

Republican vows to push Hegseth impeachment after midterm elections Kentucky congressman vows to push for Hegseth’s ouster in lame-duck session - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in The Republican congressman who spearheaded a bipartisan push to release the Epstein Files says he will continue his effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when the House of Representatives returns from its’ pre-election break. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky) posted to X on Monday an exchange between him and an unidentified journalist in which he indicated that he’d continue his push to impeach Hegseth “if he’s still SecDef” when Congress returns to Washington next month. In September, Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth in which he alleged that the self-styled “Secretary of War” had illegally started a war with Iran without the consent of Congress among other “high crimes and misdemeanors,” including defying Congress and causing civilian casualties without military necessity. The Kentuckian, who will leave Congress in January after losing a primary to a Trump-backed challenger, suggested at the time that there was enough support from Republicans for the measure to pass the House and force a trial in the Senate. But House Speaker Mike Johnson recessed the House early without a vote on the articles to save GOP members the embarrassment of having to vote to support Hegseth, whose conduct since he was sworn in last year has angered members of both chambers. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also called for Hegseth’s removal and has promised to run him “out of town” if Democrats win a majority in next week’s midterm elections. Democrats in the Senate have also suggested that Hegseth’s removal could be the price President Donald Trump will have to pay for any bipartisan cooperation on defense appropriations and other legislative matters to come in the lame-duck session that will convene after the midterms. For his part, Hegseth is reportedly “angling” for a Senate seat over fears House Democrats plan to launch an impeachment investigation into his tenure atop the Pentagon. According to Puck, the secretary is interested in succeeding Tennessee’s incumbent Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn should she win her race to be the state’s next governor against Democratic rival Jerri Green, as she is currently on course to do. If Blackburn does secure the keys to the governor’s mansion, Hegseth is reportedly hopeful of her appointing him to her vacant seat, rather than waiting for congressional Democrats to come after him and attempt to force him out of office – or for President Donald Trump to fire him. The former Fox News presenter lived in the Volunteer State for three years prior to being chosen by Trump to lead the Department of Defense, which might be enough to convince local conservatives of his genuine affinity for the area. Joe Sommerlad contributed reporting from London Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments