Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called Monday for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to face a Senate trial and removal from office over the Trump administration’s conduct of the war in Iran.
In Senate floor remarks, the New York Democrat accused Hegseth of continuing the war without congressional authorization and concealing the number of American service members killed and wounded.
“Hegseth must stand trial before the Senate,” Schumer said.
Schumer said the administration had not presented a plan to bring U.S. troops home more than eight months into the conflict. He argued that Hegseth had defied the Constitution and multiple congressional war powers resolutions intended to end the fighting.
He also accused Hegseth of spending two years pursuing an ideological campaign within the Pentagon and removing experienced military officers.
Schumer separately demanded answers about strikes against ships in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which he described as unauthorized. He said there was evidence civilians were among those killed.
The remarks were a call for Hegseth’s removal, not an announcement that a Senate trial had begun.
In the House, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., announced Monday that he was forcing consideration of eight impeachment charges against Hegseth. Massie alleged violations of the War Powers Resolution, unlawful military operations and retaliation against critics.
Massie’s allegations included continuing hostilities in Iran beyond statutory deadlines and after Congress directed the removal of U.S. forces. He urged President Donald Trump to replace Hegseth.
Hegseth played down the impeachment effort Monday, Reuters reported. Asked whether he had enough Republican support to defeat impeachment articles, he replied, “We’re not worried about that.”
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