Impeaching Peter B. Hegseth, Secretary of Defense of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Summary
This document is a House Resolution (H. Res. 935) that proposes the impeachment of Peter B. Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, for alleged high crimes and misdemeanors. The resolution outlines two articles of impeachment: murder and conspiracy to murder, and reckless and unlawful mishandling of classified information. It details specific incidents and alleged violations of US law and international obligations.
Expected Effects
If the House of Representatives votes to impeach Secretary Hegseth, he will face a trial in the Senate. A conviction in the Senate would result in his removal from office and potential disqualification from holding future office. The resolution also has the potential to impact civil-military relations and the international standing of the United States.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially upholds the rule of law and accountability for high-ranking officials.
- Could deter future misconduct by government officials.
- May reaffirm the importance of international law and treaties.
- Could strengthen civil-military relations by reinforcing lawful conduct.
- May restore trust in government if allegations are proven and addressed.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could create political instability and division.
- May damage the reputation of the Secretary of Defense and the Department of Defense, regardless of the outcome.
- Could distract from other critical national security priorities.
- May set a precedent for politically motivated impeachments.
- Could negatively impact national security if the Secretary of Defense is removed during a crisis.
Constitutional Alignment
The impeachment process is outlined in Article I, Sections 2 and 3 of the US Constitution. These sections grant the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment and the Senate the sole power to try all impeachments. The grounds for impeachment are "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors," as stated in Article II, Section 4. The resolution alleges that Secretary Hegseth's actions meet this threshold.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).