Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar has introduced articles of impeachment against U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, creating a wave of attention in Washington. Thanedar had hinted earlier this month that he was preparing to take this step. On Tuesday, he made it official through a video posted on X, saying the impeachment charges were “for murder and conspiracy to murder and reckless and unlawful mishandling of classified information.”
Background on the Impeachment Move
Thanedar’s announcement quickly became a major political moment, even though the impeachment effort is unlikely to move forward. Republicans hold the majority in both the House and Senate, meaning the chances of a vote or trial are extremely low. Still, the filing alone has intensified the already heated debates surrounding Hegseth and his recent actions as Defense Secretary.
Newsweek reached out to both Thanedar’s team and the Pentagon for comments, but no new responses were reported as of Wednesday.
The reason this matters is that Hegseth has been under close scrutiny for multiple incidents, especially two military strikes involving alleged drug-smuggling vessels and a controversy known as “Signal Gate.” Critics say these situations raise serious questions about judgment, legality, and the protection of sensitive military information.
Earlier this year, Hegseth took part in a group chat that included journalists and other public figures. In that chat, he shared real-time information about American troop movements ahead of planned strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The Pentagon’s inspector general later concluded that sharing those details risked exposing U.S. troops to danger.
Thanedar has filed articles of impeachment before—earlier this year he introduced seven against former President Donald Trump. But even with his history of aggressive oversight actions, this new move is not expected to gain traction. Republican lawmakers are not likely to support impeachment, especially against a Defense Secretary appointed by President Trump.
Key Issues Behind the Impeachment Articles
Representative Shri Thanedar said he introduced impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth because he believes Hegseth’s actions “are not just reprehensible but illegal as well.” He also wrote on X that he is acting to protect the Constitution from “all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
A major focus of the case is a pair of U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean on September 2. The first strike hit a suspected “narco-boat” near Venezuela, destroying the vessel. The second strike targeted survivors of the initial attack, raising alarm among lawmakers and human rights observers. Many argued that once the survivors no longer posed an immediate threat, attacking them could violate international law. Lawmakers from both parties have since demanded unedited footage, written orders, and more details to determine whether proper rules were followed.
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Hegseth also faces criticism over “Signal Gate,” a March incident in which he shared sensitive troop-movement details in a group chat. The Pentagon’s watchdog later concluded that this disclosure may have endangered U.S. forces preparing to strike Houthi targets in Yemen.
Despite the scrutiny, the Trump administration has defended both the strikes and Hegseth’s handling of information, saying they were lawful and focused on national security.
The political landscape is further complicated by another impeachment effort from Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens, who introduced articles against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson called Thanedar’s move a political “charade,” and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries acknowledged that Republicans will block any impeachment attempt from advancing.
Where Things Stand in Congress
Right now, neither impeachment effort against Hegseth or Kennedy is expected to advance. Republicans control both chambers of Congress. Because of that, Democratic lawmakers face steep obstacles in getting even a hearing. A full vote is even less likely.
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Still, Thanedar’s decision to file the articles puts extra pressure on the Pentagon. It also adds another layer of tension to Washington’s already polarized political environment. Even if the impeachment does not move forward, the accusations around Hegseth will continue to draw attention. Lawmakers, journalists, and the public are all watching closely.
At this stage, only one thing is certain. The political and legal questions surrounding the military strikes and Signal Gate will remain part of the national debate. Congress shows no signs of taking immediate action.