Trump warns Dems over Hegseth impeachment push; says GOP can ‘play that game’ too
WASHINGTON, DC: While several Democratic leaders have downplayed the party's plans to impeach President Donald Trump, many Democrats have repeatedly signaled that they are considering pursuing impeachment against both Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth has emerged as a key target for Democrats, who have indicated that they could pursue his impeachment if they regain control of the House.
Trump says Republicans could play the same game amid Hegseth impeachment push
President Donald Trump blasted Democrats Thursday over their ongoing calls to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“I think it’s terrible. All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody,” the president told reporters when asked if he was worried about Democrats trying to oust Hegseth.
“I mean, honestly, if we wanted to play that game, we could play it just as well. But they’re talking about Pete Hegseth,” Trump said, praising the Pentagon chief for doing a “great job” and being a “great warrior.”
“I think he’s the best at his job in many, many years, and a lot of people agree with that,” Trump added.
According to a report by The Hill, several House Democrats told the outlet that they support the impeachment resolution brought by Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky) last month.
Democratic leaders have also indicated that they could pursue Hegseth's removal if they regain a majority in the House.
A vote on Massie's privileged resolution is expected soon after lawmakers return to Washington from their break. Massie said he plans to push for a vote during the week of November 9, provided Hegseth is still in office.
Dems criticize Hegseth's repeated firings and leadership
Democrats have criticized Hegseth for firing more than two dozen senior military officers since taking office, overseeing deadly strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, and allegedly failing to provide Congress with sufficient transparency about the handling of the Iran war.
“Secretary Hegseth has been nothing short of a disaster for the Pentagon and for America’s standing in the world,” Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, told The Hill in a statement Wednesday.
“From ‘Signalgate’ and the partisan purging of military leadership to the spiraling human and financial toll of the war in Iran, he has proven time and again that he is unfit to lead our armed forces. He must leave the Pentagon,” Carbajal, a former Marine Corps reservist, said.
“If he won’t resign, I will vote in favor of impeachment at the next opportunity.”
Last weekend, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said during a campaign rally in New York that a Democratic majority in the House would “run Pete Hegseth out of town.”
The Pentagon has defended the defense secretary, describing him as a “transformative leader” who has restored standards and merit to the department. Pentagon officials have also claimed that morale and recruitment in the military are at “all-time highs.”
