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Trump Warns Democrats Against Impeaching Hegseth
Confirmed
In Short: President Trump warned Democrats against impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if they win control of the House in the midterms.
President Trump warned Democrats against impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if they win control of the House in the midterms, according to the Denver Gazette and Talkingpointsmemo.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Trump said, 'All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody.' He added, 'I think it’s terrible,' when asked about the possibility of impeachment.
The Cook Political Report analysis suggests Democrats are favored to win the 218 seats needed to control the House, with 220 seats rated as solid, likely, or lean Democrat.
Democrats have expressed disapproval of Hegseth’s handling of the Iran war and boat strikes in the Caribbean, which began on February 28 and have led to increased fuel prices.
House Democrats filed six articles of impeachment against Hegseth in April, accusing him of 'high crimes and misdemeanors' related to the war and drug boat strikes.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who is leaving Congress after losing his primary, plans to force a vote on impeachment articles against Hegseth when the House reconvenes after the midterms.
Massie filed eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing him of illegal conduct in Iran and other military campaigns.
If Democrats win the House, Massie’s plan to impeach Hegseth could face significant Republican opposition. A motion to table could be offered to prevent the impeachment articles from coming to a vote.
The House will not reconvene for business until after the midterms in mid-November, according to Wfmd.
Massie contends that Speaker Kevin McCarthy sent everyone home early to avoid a vote related to Hegseth.
Trump’s warning to Democrats reflects his intention to veto any impeachment efforts should Democrats win control of both chambers.
What this adds
The specific consequences Trump mentioned for Democrats if they impeach Hegseth are not detailed.
What's confirmed
- “I think it’s terrible,” Trump said in response to a Washington Examiner question Thursday morning before leaving for a South Carolina rally.
- Just 17 races are considered “toss-ups.” Democrats have teased their desire to impeach Hegseth’s handling of the Iran war, which began on Feb.
- The Cook Political Report wrote in a midterm analysis that “Democrats now are favored outright in the 218 seats they need to win control of the House.” Cook rates 220 seats as either solid, likely, or lean Democrat, while it rates 198 seats as solid, likely, or lean Republican.
- Democrats have teased their desire to impeach Hegseth’s handling of the Iran war, which began on Feb. 28 and has led to increased gas and diesel prices.
- In April, House Democrats filed six articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing him of “high crimes and misdemeanors” because of the war and drug boat strikes.
- “All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody.” The president then threatened retaliation against Democrats, who are on the cusp of winning back the House, while also praising Hegseth.
- They have also pointed to disapproval of Hegseth’s authorizing boat strikes in the Caribbean to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who will be departing Congress in January after losing his primary, said he plans to force a vote on impeachment articles against Hegseth when the House returns following the midterm elections.
What's still developing
- I would tell him to “stay in his lane,” but he doesn’t recognize boundaries, legal, constitutional, or otherwise.
- So, Donnie is “dictating” what the Congress can and cannot do???
- “All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody.” It’s not clear what Trump means by “we could play it just as well,” but he is likely referring to his intention to veto anything that comes his way should Democrats pull off an upper and lower chamber sweep.
- The House never even considered the actual impeachment resolutions.