Jeffries backs impeachment of Hegseth as Democrats plan probes

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has voted in support of impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The resolution, which is expected to be introduced in the coming days, targets the secretary for abusing his power and engineering a war in Iran.

Jeffries made his position clear during a Sunday appearance on the television show This Week with George Stephanopoulos. He described Hegseth as having undermined national security and called for his removal. "I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution," Jeffries stated. "Pete Hegseth has got to go."

The effort was initially spearheaded by outgoing Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie, a vocal critic of the conflict, pushed for the vote before the chamber leadership changed hands.

Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in the November 3 midterm elections. They secured their largest gains in the lower chamber in over fifty years. A new Congress will be sworn in on January 3, replacing the current Republican trifecta that includes the presidency.

Incoming leaders plan to move aggressively in their first 100 days. Jeffries said the party intends to address affordability and what he called corruption within the administration. "We are committed to cleaning up the mess wherever it’s found," he said, noting the scope includes Congress and the Supreme Court.

Representative Robert Garcia announced his bid to lead the House Oversight Committee on Thursday. The panel has the authority to subpoena witnesses and documents. Garcia indicated that Stephen Miller, the newly named White House chief of staff, is a primary target for investigation. Garcia described Miller as the architect of hardline immigration policies that have separated families.

Garcia also signaled interest in questioning Elon Musk regarding his role in the Department of Government Efficiency. He cited concerns over federal workforce cuts and the handling of sensitive government data. "What happened with DOGE.. is very serious," Garcia said.

The White House responded to the incoming Democratic majority. Attorney General Todd Blanche said on CNN that he was ready to counter probes of Trump officials. "If you work in this administration, you have a lawyer. It’s me," Blanche said. President Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday, urging the Justice Department to investigate Democrats over their plans to question his allies.

While the House can impeach with a simple majority, the Senate requires a two-thirds vote to convict and remove an official. This high threshold will shape the strategy of the new Democratic majority in the upper chamber.