US Second District Congressman Derek Schmidt has agreed with the US House of Representatives’ decision to refer proposed articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee.
Schmidt, on social media Wednesday, called the actions the “Right thing to do” saying, “Accusations and concerns involving Secretary Hegseth’s conduct in office deserve to be considered seriously.”
He went on to say that only two cabinet secretaries have ever been impeached by the House in the history of the United States before saying, “Impeachment is reserved by the Constitution for cases involving “high crimes and misdemeanors,” not for policy or personality differences no matter how serious those may be. The Framers of our Constitution considered but rejected the lesser standards of “malpractice” or “maladministration” as a basis for impeachment. Bypassing the ordinary fact-finding process in favor of snap votes on allegations against a cabinet secretary without thoughtful investigation would cheapen this serious constitutional process and, in my view, would not serve our country well.”
Schmidt’s post followed the 211-204 vote by the House to refer the articles, thus killing the effort to impeach Hegseth following accusations of misconduct, including accusing him of waging war with Iran without authorisation from Congress. Following the introduction of the articles, Hegseth dismissed them as a “political spectacle” with President Donald Trump, on social media, saying, “The Democrats’ attempt to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has miserably FAILED! Every single Republican, except Thomas Massie, a major LOSER, voted in favor of Pete. Again, Victories in Venezuela and Iran, the Best Recruitment Numbers in the History of the Military (Long waiting lists to get in!), and Spirit like rarely seen before led to the EXONERATION of a Great American Patriot. The Democrats continue to weaponize and abuse the United States of America. They must be stopped!”
