House Democratic Party Leader and soon-to-be House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) indicated that the party will be pursuing an impeachment effort targeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth both at the end of the year and when the new Congress is sworn in this January.
“I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution. The so-called secretary of defense has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran, which has skyrocketed prices on the American people and made the country less safe. Pete Hegseth has got to go,” the incoming House speaker said during an appearance on ABC’s This Week.
Jeffries indicated that House Democrats would discuss the resolution on Tuesday, when members reconvene in Washington for the first time after the November midterm elections. He expressed the view that the measure would receive “incredibly strong support” among Democrats, though he did not claim unanimous backing from the caucus.
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JUST IN: SecWar Pete Hegseth is about to face IMPEACHMENT and Hakeem Jeffries just confirmed he's a "HARD YES" on the resolution
"I believe there will be incredibly strong support for the resolution."
"I'm a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution…he has abused his… pic.twitter.com/HnfXLX0hp2
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 8, 2026
The resolution in question is expected to be reintroduced by outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) by the end of the year. Massie had previously filed eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, citing alleged violations of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 in connection with U.S. military operations in Iran, along with other charges related to military actions and congressional oversight. That effort did not receive a floor vote after the House adjourned early.
Massie has stated that he intends to reintroduce the privileged resolution as early as Monday or during the first week of the lame-duck session beginning around November 9, provided Hegseth remains in office. Under House Rule IX, a privileged resolution requires the Speaker to schedule consideration within two legislative days.
Massie has assessed the measure’s prospects in the current Republican-controlled House as better than 50 percent, citing expected Democratic support and the possibility that some Republicans, whose campaigns have ended, may be more willing to vote in favor than earlier in the year. He has noted that the only circumstance that would prevent reintroduction is Hegseth’s resignation.
If the resolution passes the House during the lame-duck period, it would constitute impeachment and move to the Senate for trial while Republicans still control that chamber until early January.
Democrats won majorities in both the House and Senate in the November 2026 midterms and will assume control when the 120th Congress convenes on January 3. With a House majority, Democratic leadership could pursue impeachment proceedings through regular order, including committee investigations and hearings, rather than relying solely on a privileged resolution.
Jeffries and other Democrats have previously indicated they would seek “accountability” for Hegseth if he remains in the position, including through oversight mechanisms available to the majority.
Under the Constitution, the House holds the sole power of impeachment for the President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States, a category that includes cabinet secretaries. Impeachment requires a simple majority vote in the House on one or more articles charging “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Approval of at least one article results in the official being impeached.
The matter then proceeds to the Senate for trial. For a cabinet official, the Vice President or the President pro tempore of the Senate presides, rather than the Chief Justice. Conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote of senators present.
No Cabinet secretary has been convicted and removed by the Senate following impeachment. Historical examples include the 1876 impeachment of Secretary of War William Belknap, who resigned before trial and was later acquitted, and the 2024 impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which the Senate declined to try.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
