Hegseth Faces Removal Vote Day After US Midterms

A vote to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from office could take place in the US House of Representatives on November 9, one day after the midterm elections.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Democrats are preparing to launch impeachment proceedings if they secure a strong position in the upcoming elections. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries outlined this strategy during a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month. "One of the first things we're going to do in the majority, we're going to run Pete Hegseth out of town," Jeffries said.

Criticism of Hegseth is not limited to the Democratic caucus. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment in September. Massie, a vocal critic of the war on Iran and US aid to Israel, accused the secretary of abusing his office by ordering hostilities against Iran without Congressional approval. Massie stated he intends to force a vote shortly after the House returns to session on November 9.

Other lawmakers have used blunt language to describe Hegseth's tenure. Rep. Pramila Jayapal called him "incompetent and, frankly, corrupt" in a CNN interview. Rep. Jared Huffman labeled him an "unhinged fanatic who should be impeached and removed from office."

The push for impeachment coincides with scrutiny over Hegseth's recent diplomatic activities. On Monday, the defense secretary held a covert meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Israel's Ovda air base. This visit occurred days before Israel's election. Reuters reported that Hegseth confirmed the visit took place but declined to elaborate on the conversation's details.

According to a KAN News report, the primary topic of the meeting was Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly attended the sit-down. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior Israeli officials were not invited to the discussion for confidentiality reasons.

The November 9 date places the potential vote immediately after the US midterms. This timing allows the new House composition to determine the immediate political trajectory for the defense secretary.