Debunking Pete Hegseth’s Bullshit Impeachment Defense
Fighting for his job before an impeachment vote, the flailing war secretary claimed “victory” in Iran. We checked his claims. The post Debunking Pete Hegseth’s Bullshit Impeachment Defense appeared first on The Intercept .
As impeachment proceedings loom, former Pentagon press spokesman Pete Hegseth presented his case before military journalists, asserting that every operation he led was "lawful" and that any civilian casualties were mere "slander." Hegseth hailed the Iran war as a resounding triumph and claimed that only 18 deaths have occurred in the conflict.
He also dismissed impeachment efforts as a mere "stunt by one disgruntled congressman." However, these assertions are all demonstrably false. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, submitted articles of impeachment against Hegseth, alleging he committed "high crimes and misdemeanors." Democrats are expected to largely support this motion, given their recent electoral success.
House Speaker-designate Hakeem Jeffries pledged his support for the impeachment resolution. Massie has vowed to vote on each of the eight articles of impeachment if the motion proceeds to individual votes. Hegseth, facing potential Senate trials and the end of his political career under Trump's administration, prepared for his denunciation.
In reality, Hegseth's defense is fraught with falsehoods. His claims that all military actions he conducted were "lawful" and duly notified Congress are baseless. International laws and U.S. military protocols prohibit targeting civilians, even suspected criminals who might pose some danger. Sarah Harrison, a former Pentagon policy advisor on human rights and the law of war, concurred, deeming the attacks on Venezuela unlawful and unjustified.
Air Force Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham and other experts have pointed out that the Iran war violated the U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, which generally requires congressional approval for wars. Hegseth's assertions about notifying Congress before the Iran war are also inaccurate; no formal notification was provided.
Regarding civilian harm, Hegseth's claims are utterly false. The U.S. military's attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 240 people, many of them civilians. The Pentagon's Civilian Protection Center of Excellence significantly reduced its staff, and the military investigation found U.S. forces had attacked a school in Iran, killing more than 150 children.
These incidents represent a stark departure from standard U.S. military conduct. Hegseth's self-defense is replete with misinformation and a clear disregard for the law.
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