In the US, criticism of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth within the Republican Party has become more visible following the November 3 midterm elections. While a resolution for Hegseth's impeachment is expected to be brought to the House floor this week, it is noted that some Republican members may break from the party line.
At the center of the debate is the Trump administration's war against Iran and Hegseth's role in this process. According to Al Arabiya, the fact that some Republican representatives who lost their seats in the midterms are now relatively removed from political pressure has strengthened the possibility of them taking a different stance in the impeachment vote.
Republican Representative Don Bacon, who is preparing to leave Congress, told Fox News that Hegseth is "not very well-liked" in Congress. Bacon told Axios that he has not yet decided how he will vote in a potential ballot.
THE IRAN WAR IS AT THE CENTER OF THE IMPEACHMENT PUSH
The resolution for Hegseth's impeachment is expected to be introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie accuses the Secretary of Defense of disregarding Congressional authority and conducting the war against Iran illegally.
The Republican leadership had blocked the vote from taking place before the midterm elections. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson had ensured an early recess for the House by canceling votes on certain agenda items, arguing that this was not intended to avoid the Hegseth vote.
However, following the election defeat, dissatisfaction within the party has begun to be expressed more openly. Speaking to Axios, one Republican member of Congress linked the cause of the defeat to the Iran war, stating, "Iran, Iran, Iran... We shouldn't have gotten into this war before the midterms."
Another Republican lawmaker argued that Hegseth's public tone has harmed efforts to explain the justifications for attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and subsequent military operations to the American public.
TRUMP DEFENDS HEGSETH
It is alleged that the pressure on Hegseth is not limited to Congress and that there are figures within the Trump administration who want the Secretary of Defense removed. In response, Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he plans to keep Hegseth in office.
Hegseth, in a video posted to his X account on Thursday, described the impeachment attempt as a "farce." Arguing that the initiative is being led by an "angry and defeated congressman," Hegseth gave no signal of resigning.
Massie, stating that Hegseth must leave his post, said, "There is only one scenario where I will not reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigning." Massie also called for the Secretary of Defense to be replaced before Republicans lose control of the Senate.
In a response from the Pentagon, it was emphasized that Hegseth is determined to continue his duties. The US Department of Defense's chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, defended the Department's adherence to the law and said that Hegseth is "100 percent committed" to leading the department until the end of Trump's term.
According to the US Constitution, an impeachment decision in the House of Representatives does not automatically mean Hegseth's removal from office. Removal requires a trial in the Senate and a two-thirds vote for conviction by the members present. Therefore, the process will depend on the balance of power in the Senate as well as the divisions within the Republican Party.
News Source: 12punto
