IMPEACHMENT PUSH GROWS: Incoming Democrat Brad Lander Targets Hegseth, RFK Jr. and FBI Director Kash Patel
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Dem Rep.-Elect Brad Lander In Favor of Impeaching Hegseth, RFK Jr.
Rep.-elect Brad Lander (D-NY) came out in favor of impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel.
IMPEACHMENT PUSH GROWS: Incoming Democrat Brad Lander Targets Hegseth, RFK Jr. and FBI Director Kash Patel
Newly elected Democratic Congressman Brad Lander of New York is calling for impeachment proceedings against three senior members of President Donald Trump’s administration, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and FBI Director Kash Patel, as Democrats prepare to assume control of the House of Representatives. Lander made the remarks Monday while attending orientation for incoming members of the 120th Congress in Washington, where he was questioned about whether Democrats intended to pursue impeachment proceedings against Trump or members of his administration. Rather than immediately calling for the president’s impeachment, Lander identified three administration officials whom he believes should face congressional proceedings over their conduct in office. “Do you think there’s an appetite for impeachment proceedings of either Hegseth or President Trump?” a reporter asked. “I’d like to impeach Hegseth, I’d like to see us impeach Kash Patel. I’d like to see us impeach RFK Jr. All of whom look to me like they have betrayed their requirements of their office,” Lander responded. “And, I would love to put that before the Senate, and let’s see how Senators vote on those impeachments.” Lander’s comments came as Democrats, following their victories in last week’s midterm elections, began outlining how they intend to use their new congressional majorities to challenge the Trump administration. When pressed about whether he also supported impeaching the president, Lander declined to make that his immediate priority, instead pointing to a broad legislative and investigative agenda. “I think we want to restore those healthcare cuts, we want to end the war, we want to end the tariffs. We want to get money out of politics, restore trust in government,” Lander said. “There’s an enormous amount of investigating.” The incoming congressman also called for investigations into federal immigration enforcement operations, including the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and said Democrats should examine the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Lander additionally expressed interest in reviewing Elon Musk’s involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency and the federal spending reductions implemented through that initiative. His statements reflect a growing debate among Democrats over how aggressively to pursue impeachment once they assume control of Congress in January. Some lawmakers have advocated targeting senior administration officials before considering proceedings against Trump himself, arguing that cabinet members and agency leaders may be more vulnerable to impeachment efforts. Pennsylvania Democratic Congresswoman Madeleine Dean endorsed that approach during an appearance on CNN, suggesting that Democrats begin by examining officials other than the president. “What I think is we have an obligation to hold people to account,” Dean said. “And I don’t think the first target ought to be the president. People know what this president has been responsible for. But what we will begin, I hope, and this is not me revealing a strategy that is greater than my own, because I’m not in charge of this strategy, but I hope we will go around to what I would call the softer targets.” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has also signaled support for pursuing impeachment proceedings against Hegseth, particularly over his management of the American military campaign against Iran. During an interview Sunday on ABC News, Jeffries said he would support an impeachment resolution targeting the war secretary. “I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution,” Jeffries said. “The so-called secretary of defense has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran, which has skyrocketed prices on the American people and made the country less safe.” The impeachment campaign against Hegseth is already moving toward a possible House vote this week, led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who has introduced eight articles of impeachment against the Pentagon chief. Massie’s allegations include launching military operations against Iran without congressional authorization and abusing the powers of his office. House lawmakers could be required to consider the resolution as early as Wednesday, although Republican leaders may attempt to block it through a procedural vote. Trump has defended Hegseth’s performance and indicated that he would continue supporting him even if the House voted to impeach him. Hegseth has rejected the effort as politically motivated, while House Speaker Mike Johnson has opposed the proceedings. Impeachment requires only a simple majority in the House, but removing an official from office requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate following a trial. Even with Democrats preparing to take control of the chamber in January, securing the votes necessary for conviction would remain a substantial obstacle. Meanwhile, Democrats are preparing a broader series of congressional investigations into the administration, with incoming House Oversight Committee chairman Robert Garcia expected to examine Musk’s government activities and Stephen Miller’s influence over federal immigration enforcement. Attorney General Todd Blanche has warned that the administration intends to resist congressional investigations it considers politically motivated and defend officials targeted by Democratic lawmakers. {Matzav.com}
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