Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is facing calls for impeachment from House Democrats concerned about his handling of the Iran war, his alleged involvement in the SignalGate scandal, and actions in the Caribbean. If Democrats secure a House majority in the November midterm elections, Hegseth could become a primary target for investigations and potential impeachment proceedings.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California told the Daily Mail that Hegseth "got us into an illegal and costly war in Iran which we are losing" and has "fired generals capriciously and ordered the killing of fishermen in the Caribbean." Khanna stated, "He should be impeached."
House Democrats, anticipating a potential majority, plan to utilize their subpoena power to compel testimony from Trump administration officials. This strategy mirrors tactics employed during former President Trump's first term, when then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi led impeachment efforts.
Congressman Jason Crow, a member of the House panels overseeing the CIA and Pentagon, stated, "Pete Hegseth has got to go." He added that Democrats "won’t hesitate to use every tool available to hold the Defense Secretary accountable," though he did not explicitly commit to impeachment.
Lawmakers have accused Hegseth of incompetence, being unfit for office, politicizing the Pentagon, dismissing experienced generals, and jeopardizing service members through the "reckless" dissemination of classified information. Democratic Representative Jill Tokuda of Hawaii described Hegseth as an "unqualified, narcissistic, wannabe Chief of War" and suggested he should face "charges domestically and globally for crimes against humanity."
Public opinion also appears to be shifting, with a Quinnipiac Poll indicating a 57 percent disapproval rating for Hegseth, compared to 32 percent approval. His net approval rating has reportedly declined since the onset of the Iran conflict.
Hegseth's potential impeachment could stem from his role in SignalGate, a scandal involving the accidental inclusion of a journalist in a group chat containing plans for a strike on Yemen. He may also face scrutiny regarding the U.S. munitions supply for a protracted Iran conflict, a matter reportedly causing frustration for President Trump.
President Trump has reportedly expressed resignation to potential Republican losses in Congress, suggesting a willingness to negotiate with Democrats. However, House Democrats have yet to coalesce around a unified strategy for targeting the administration.
While some Democrats are hesitant about pursuing further impeachment proceedings, more progressive members view Hegseth's removal as essential. Impeaching Cabinet secretaries is a rare event in U.S. history, having occurred only twice: against Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876 and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024.
Even if the House were to pass impeachment articles against Hegseth, securing the 60 votes needed for conviction in the Senate could be challenging.
The Pentagon, through Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson, defended Hegseth's tenure, stating, "Secretary Hegseth has slashed bureaucracy, unleashed innovation, and delivered for our warfighters every step of the way."