Hakeem Jeffries backs impeaching Pete Hegseth: 'He has got to go'

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has strongly backed impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. On Sunday he said he is a 'hard yes' on the impeachment resolution against Hegseth.

Speaking on ABC's This Week, Jeffries said, "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."

Jeffries' announcement comes as Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie moves to revive his impeachment effort against Hegseth. Massie plans to reintroduce an impeachment resolution as soon as Monday, potentially setting up a House showdown within days.

The measure includes eight articles of impeachment, including multiple charges such as violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

Asked whether he expects the entire Democratic caucus to support the resolution, Jeffries said members will 'have that conversation' on Tuesday morning when lawmakers return to Washington for the first time since the midterm elections. But he said, "I believe there will be incredibly strong support for that resolution."

The mounting pressure on Hegseth follows Republican losses in the midterm elections, with both Trump and voters identifying the Iran war as a major factor in the party's defeat.

A former senior Pentagon official said directly on Wednesday that the war 'has been primarily a Department of War-led effort because you chose to take military action to resolve a foreign policy matter'.

A Republican close to the White House added in an interview with CNN, "If the president is serious about anyone taking responsibility for it, it's Pete Hegseth." He added, "Pete has been either dishonest or incorrect — neither of which are acceptable — about timelines, goals and objectives since the beginning."

Despite the criticism, Trump has continued to stand behind Hegseth. When reporters asked on Wednesday whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, the president dismissed the possibility. He said, "No, I think he's doing a very good job."

Hegseth, meanwhile, pushed back against the impeachment effort in a video posted to social media on Thursday. He said, "A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice. It's all about the politics of personal destruction — didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work with me."

The impeachment push comes as Democrats prepare to intensify scrutiny of Hegseth's tenure as defense secretary. Democrats have promised to investigate Hegseth and his handling of the Pentagon, and aides say that could include everything from his handling of the Iran war to his management of the department.