In a significant development on Wednesday, US House Democrats filed six articles of impeachment against Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, accusing him of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors,” including initiating war against Iran without congressional approval. The impeachment resolution is spearheaded by Democratic Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari from Arizona, though it faces slim chances of passage due to the Republican majority in the House.
Impeachment is a formal process where the US House of Representatives charges a government official with alleged misconduct, with removal from office only possible if the Senate convicts following a trial. Ansari stated on social media platform X that she introduced the articles for Hegseth’s violation of his oath, endangerment of US servicemembers, and war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran. She emphasized that only Congress has the authority to declare war, and Hegseth’s actions warrant his immediate removal.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused oil prices to surge and negatively impacted former President Trump’s approval ratings ahead of the crucial midterm elections in November. The first article of impeachment alleges that Hegseth initiated hostilities with Iran without a formal declaration of war or specific congressional authorization, knowingly putting US Armed Forces personnel at substantial and foreseeable risk of harm.
Another article holds Hegseth accountable for a strike on an Iranian primary school on February 28, coinciding with the start of US and Israeli bombing campaigns in Iran. This attack resulted in at least 170 casualties, including students and teachers. Preliminary findings from a US military investigation suggest a US Tomahawk cruise missile mistakenly targeted the school. The impeachment document states that Hegseth authorized, condoned, or failed to prevent military actions inconsistent with the laws of armed conflict, such as this strike.
Democrats also condemned Hegseth for authorizing “double tap” strikes—attacks repeated on the same targets—against suspected drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean. These strikes were deemed illegal and contrary to rules of engagement designed to protect civilians. Additional accusations include negligence and reckless handling of sensitive military information, as well as obstructing congressional oversight by using the commercial messaging app Signal to discuss military strikes in Yemen.
