Is Hesseth facing impeachment - and what might follow?
Congressman Thomas Massey - typical of a Republican - will bring to a vote a resolution to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. For alleged insubordination to Congress, illegal continuation of the US war in Iran and a number of other "high crimes and misdemeanors", Axios writes.
Note that this is Massey's second attempt. He first presented the 34-page decision on September 15. The decision received a privileged status - the Chamber was obliged to vote on it within two days of legislation. But Speaker Mike Johnson, not wanting a public split in the party, sent the House into an early recess, and the vote failed. Now Massey is looking for revenge, and agrees to withdraw the decision only if Hesset voluntarily resigns.
Axios emphasizes that the Republican leaders in the House of Representatives are preparing for such a development. The fact is that defeated Republican congressmen have nothing to lose. And if Democrats and Trump's internal party rivals find the right key for them, they could support impeachment. Still, Trump publicly endorsed Hegseth last week, saying he intended to "keep him" in office.
כדי ליזום הדחה, די ברוב רגיל של הקולות בבית הנבחרים. מאזן הכוחות הנוכחי הוא כדלקמן: דמוקרטים - 214, רפובליקנים - 218 פלוס עצמאי אחד (קווין קיילי) שמצביע עם הרפובליקנים, מקומות פנויים - 2. עם שני מקומות פנויים, רף הרוב הוא 217 קולות. היתרון הרפובליקני קטן, ויש לגרוע מהמספר הזה את מאסי עצמו, מחבר היוזמה. בשביל רוב מינימלי צריך לשכנע רק שני רפובליקנים בעד התפטרותו של הגסת.
Massey also links the resignation to a second motivation: Hesse's voluntary departure will allow Republicans to appoint another war secretary. After all, as of January 3, 2027, the nomination will have to go through the Senate, where the Democratic Party will already have a majority.