Pete Hegseth to face expected impeachment vote this week
US Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced articles of impeachment, setting off a two-day clock for an expected House vote on charges including waging war against Iran without congressional approval and other abuses of power.
Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, faces an expected impeachment vote in Congress this week. He is accused of multiple abuses of power, including waging war against Iran without congressional approval. If convicted, he would become the first civilian leader of the US military to be impeached by Congress, a position previously held by William Belknap in 1876.
House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes the move, citing the potential negative impact on US allies and enemies. Republican politicians are concerned that Hegseth's strained relationship with Congress could hinder the push for a $1.5 trillion defence spending package. Despite the impeachment push, Hegseth remains defiant, promising to fight the charges.
He has drawn a comparison to President Donald Trump, who was impeached twice without being removed from office, stating that "it didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work with me." Trump has condemned the impeachment effort and praised Hegseth, defending his record of success in wartime. Democrats have vowed to investigate Hegseth over his firing of the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman and other alleged abuses of power.
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