Hegseth Counts the Votes: Impeachment Vote Next Week?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's seat is shaking: White House officials are discussing his future after the midterm defeat, though President Trump says he stays, Politico reported on November 8. Representative Massie will reintroduce eight impeachment articles when the House returns on November 9; two anonymous Republican lawmakers say the votes are there to pass them (Tribune, November 8).

Why now? Many Republican lawmakers have already lost their seats and have nothing left to lose — and Vice President Vance has publicly blamed the Iran war for the defeat. Democratic leader Jeffries has vowed that removing Hegseth will be one of the first moves once his party takes power (WSJ, November 8).

The defense angle: Hegseth signed the Iran war orders and the Caribbean boat strikes; if he falls, the 1.5 trillion dollar defense package and 15 billion dollars in Ukraine aid will be negotiated with the new Congress by his successor. Meanwhile Alaska (Peltola +637, ranked tabulation on November 18) and Mississippi (Colom up roughly 2,600, certification due before November 13) remain uncalled; AP has called 254 House seats for the Democrats, with 19 still outstanding.

We analyze warfare to cherish peace. In your view, will the House really vote next week to impeach a sitting Defense Secretary?