WASHINGTON: Democratic lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have introduced six articles of impeachment against Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, accusing him of “high crimes and misdemeanors” linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The impeachment effort is being led by Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, though it faces long odds in the Republican-controlled House. Impeachment involves the House bringing formal charges against an official, with removal from office requiring conviction in the Senate.
A group of House Democrats on Wednesday filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the “unauthorized” war in Iran, obstruction of Congressional oversight and other claims of wrongdoing. https://t.co/HnaIBMoWjm
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 15, 2026
“I’ve introduced Articles of Impeachment against Pete Hegseth for violating his oath, endangering U.S. servicemembers, and committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran,” Ansari wrote on X.
“Only Congress can declare war; his actions demand immediate removal.”
Launching military operations
The first article accuses Hegseth of launching military operations against Iran without congressional authorisation, thereby exposing US forces to significant risks. Another charge relates to a strike on a primary school in Minab on February 28, which killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers.
A preliminary US military review cited by The New York Times suggested the strike may have resulted from a targeting error involving a Tomahawk missile.
Additional allegations include authorising strikes that may have violated the law of armed conflict, conducting “double tap” attacks in the Caribbean, mishandling sensitive military information and obstructing congressional oversight.
Responding to the move, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson dismissed the effort, saying “this is just another Democrat trying to make headlines as the Department of War decisively and overwhelmingly achieved the Presidents’ objectives in Iran.”
